SOUTH BEND - Its South Bend's famous summertime celebration and the mayor officially kicked off the party Monday.

Mayor Steve Luecke and the College Football Hall of Fame renamed Michigan Avenue "Hall of Fame Boulevard" in downtown South Bend.

This year 24 former players are being inducted into the hall, including Notre Dame alumni Tim Brown.

It's a bittersweet celebration for the city. In September of last year, the Hall of Fame announced it was leaving South Bend and heading for Atlanta, but the enshrinement festival is still going on in South Bend for at least the next two seasons. Both the city and the hall of fame say the weekend will bring big bucks to the downtown area.

Enshrinement activities start Friday with a block party and fireworks. The parade and actual enshrinement are going on Saturday.