WATCH: Manchester City Mascot Greets Locals on Franklin Street

In anticipation of his team’s exhibition match against Celtic F.C. in Kenan Stadium this summer, Manchester City mascot “Moonchester” took in the sights and sounds of Franklin Street in downtown Chapel Hill recently.

Moonchester can be seen taking pictures with fans, including Chapel Hill mayor Jess Anderson, former mayor Pam Hemminger and Carolina’s mascot Rameses.

“It was quite an experience,” Anderson told 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey. “I just wanted to make sure that the public was aware of all the great work I’ve been doing… who can compete with this guy? He’s a blue alien, and he’s quite engaging. I had to do something.”

Manchester City and Celtic are set to take the pitch in Kenan Stadium on July 23 as part of the FC Series, a series of exhibition matches across the United States featuring high-profile European teams. It’s the second straight summer Kenan will have hosted an FC Series match, after Chelsea and Wrexham played there last year.

“We are thrilled to welcome international soccer fans back to Chapel Hill this summer for this fantastic event,” UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham said when the match was announced in March. “The atmosphere for last year’s game in Kenan Stadium was outstanding, and we can’t wait to share our beautiful campus and Carolina community with even more visitors from around the world.”

Kickoff time and ticket information will be published at a later date. To read more about July’s match, click here.

Featured image via FC Series

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