City To Show Its Stripes Friday

Forget Casual Friday, this week it's Big Cat Friday.

Cincinnati city employees are being urged to support the Bengals Jan. 6 by wearing orange and black to work that day. After work, there is a "Bengals Playoff Party on the Plaza," from 6-9 p.m. on the East Plaza at Paul Brown Stadium.

Admission is free, with the pep-rally activities beginning at 7 p.m. It includes:

-- Opening remarks by Mayor Mark Mallory

-- Appearances by as-yet unnamed Bengals alumni

-- A charity raffle to win playoff tickets

-- Funk legend Bootsy Collins

-- Performances by local marching bands.

The Bengals make their first playoff appearance since 1990 on Sunday, when they play the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC Wildcard Playoff game, starting at 4:30 p.m.