The fixture – at the Stok Cae Ras, live on Sky Sports (8pm kick-off) – has drawn international attention thanks to the high-profile owners on either side.
In the red corner are Wrexham co-owners and actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, while in the blue corner, Birmingham boast NFL superstar Tom Brady among their backers.
Both clubs were the subject of hit documentaries and both secured automatic promotion from League One last season.
But Parkinson, who has guided Wrexham through three promotions in three seasons, says the build-up cannot distract his side as they chase a first home league win of the campaign.
“We haven't really referenced the rivalry from last year too much because I think it's out there for everybody to know,” said the Wrexham manager.
“We had two competitive games against them last year and there was so much attention around the games.
“It's more about what we have been doing well and reproducing that and also looking at the detail of what Birmingham are all about.”
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Form and focus
Wrexham head into the game sitting 15th in the Championship, unbeaten in six of their last seven matches, including Tuesday’s encouraging 1-1 draw at Leicester.
But their home form remains an issue: two draws and two defeats so far at the Stok Cae Ras.
Lewis O’Brien’s goal gave them the lead against Derby County last weekend before they were pegged back, leaving the Red Dragons still waiting for a first Championship home win since 1982.
“Obviously we won in the EFL Cup against Reading and went through on penalties against Hull,” Parkinson noted.
“Derby, the game was there for us, really, and we didn't take the opportunity.
“But it's just about performance level and we're looking at the performance against Leicester and a lot of the Derby game as well and what we need to do well.
“If we can bring that to the table on Friday, we'll have a great chance.”
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Parkinson added: “If we're honest, the run's been decent – take out the QPR game – we're on a decent run over quite a period of time. I think consistency is obviously key and I think we're starting to show consistency in our game.
“We spoke to the lads this morning about a real big push tomorrow night to take us into the international break in good spirits with another good performance.”
Birmingham’s test
Opponents Birmingham arrive sitting 11th in the table after a patchy run – just one win in their last five league outings.
A dramatic 2-2 draw at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday, secured by Demarai Gray’s stoppage-time equaliser, summed up their stop-start form under head coach Chris Davies.
Still, with 111 points in last season’s League One title-winning campaign, Blues remain promotion contenders.
A win in the first Championship fixture of the weekend could lift them into the play-off spots.
That ambition is underpinned by a bold ownership group.
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Brady joined a US-led consortium fronted by chairman Tom Wagner last year, and they have spoken openly about their plans to rebuild Birmingham into a club capable of competing at the very top level.
Speaking at a recent event in London, Wagner said he was relishing the trip to Wrexham.
“I have enormous respect for Ryan and Rob. They're good people and they're doing a good thing. What they've done in Wrexham is amazing.
“The people in Wrexham are incredible, period, full stop. It's a wonderful place to go and visit and enjoy a football match,” said Wagner.
“Friday night, I'll be in trainers, jeans and a hoodie, sitting in the away end, probably a few pounds lighter for the pints that I'll buy.
“The way we like to do it is we'll go sit with our fans and scream and yell and act like kids again. At the end of the day, isn't this what it's all about?”
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A rivalry with Hollywood glare
The clubs are far from strangers. Last season Birmingham won 3-1 at St Andrew’s, watched by McElhenney, Brady and David Beckham in the directors’ box, before a 1-1 draw in the return fixture at the Stok Cae Ras.
Friday’s contest marks only the 12th competitive meeting between the sides.
Birmingham have six wins to Wrexham’s two, with three draws. Their shared rise from League One – alongside the Hollywood storylines – ensures the clash will once again be a global talking point.
For Parkinson, though, the task is simpler: to deliver a performance that cements Wrexham’s steady adaptation to life at this level.
“This was always going to be the biggest step up,” he admitted earlier this season.
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Yet his team have scored in every Championship match so far, and big-name arrivals such as Kieffer Moore and Conor Coady are gradually settling in.
The Wrexham boss is determined to make Friday night about football rather than film stars.
“It’s more about us,” he said.
“About how we keep building consistency, about taking chances when they come, and making sure we push into the international break on a high.”
Match snapshot
Kick-off: Friday 8pm, Stok Cae Ras, live on Sky Sports Main Event
Form: Wrexham – 1 loss in last 7; Birmingham – 1 win in last 5
Last season: Birmingham 3-1 Wrexham; Wrexham 1-1 Birmingham
Odds: Birmingham 4th favourites for promotion; Wrexham 20/1 outsiders
