38th Annual State Farm Bayou Classic kicks off
21st November 2011 · 0 Comments
Hundreds of thousands of revelers are just days away from heading into New Orleans for the 2011 State Farm Bayou Classic, the annual gridiron matchup between the Grambling State University Tigers and Southern University Jaguars.
Last year’s State Farm Bayou Classic attracted an estimated 200,000 visitors to the Crescent City, giving the New Orleans economy a much-needed shot in the arm.
The 2011 State Farm Bayou Classic will be played in a newly renovated Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The $85 million upgrade includes expansion of the Plaza (100 Level) concourse, 3,100 new seats with improved sight lines, additional concession points of sale and restrooms, and the addition of two premium ground/field-level clubs. The Superdome also features a recently completed state-of-the-art lighting system.
Also, for the first time since Hurricane Katrina, Bayou Classic revelers will get to enjoy the recently renovated and re-opened Hyatt Regency Hotel, which sits next to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
This year’s festivities and events will include fan favorites like the Battle of the Bands/Battle of the Greeks as well as a Thanksgiving Day Bayou Classic Parade, a house party at Harrah’s Casino, a forum on the challenges and issues facing historically Black colleges and universities, a golf tournament, a college, career and health fair and a Gospel brunch.
There will also be lots of other events in the city that weekend like fraternity and sorority parties, class reunions and concerts.
In this year’s matchup, the Southern University Jaguars will be looking to avenge a humiliating 35-17 loss to SWAC rival Grambling State University, the third consecutive loss for the Jags to the Tigers in the State Farm Bayou Classic. Both teams are struggling this year with GSU holding a 6-4 record overall and a 5-4 record in Southwest Athletic Conference play. SU is 4-6 overall and 4-4 in conference play.
The State Farm Bayou Classic, which will be televised nationally once again on NBC on Saturday, November 26, can boast of having the most anticipated and electrifying college football halftime show in America, pitting two of the nation’s top college marching bands against one another in a no-holds-barred battled to determine which HBCU has the “baddest band in the land.”
The 38th Annual State Farm Bayou Classic will officially kick off with the My Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, November 24, beginning at 4:00 p.m. in front of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and ending in the French Market. The Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Parade marks its return after many years, and will feature the legendary marching bands of Southern University and Grambling State University.
The parade will serve as a salute to America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In addition to the GSU and SU marching bands, the lineup will include Rebirth Brass Band; Hot 8 Brass Band; the region’s top high school marching bands; floats featuring surprise guests from Grambling and Southern; Young Men Olympian Junior Benevolent Association, the nation’s oldest second-line organization; and elements from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, New Orleans’ oldest predominantly African American carnival krewe and community-service organization. Members of the historic and courageous Freedom Riders will also highlight the parade as they mark the 50th anniversary of their leadership and pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement.
Beginning at the Superdome and concluding at the French Market with Santa Claus and a children’s village, the My Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade adds an exciting dimension to the highly anticipated Classic weekend in New Orleans.
The Bayou Classic gridiron matchup between the Grambling Tigers and Southern Jaguars will be held Saturday, November 26, 2011 in the Superdome. Kickoff is 1:30p.m.
The State Farm Bayou Classic will end on an uplifting note with the My Bayou Classic Inspirational Gospel Brunch, Sunday, November 27, 2011, at Harrah’s Casino Theater, 8 Canal Street, beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The My Bayou Classic Inspirational Gospel Brunch will feature a performance by recording artist LaShun Pace. Known for her powerful vocals that combine contemporary and traditional gospel sounds, Pace is a Stellar Award and Soul Train Lady of Soul Award winner.
Tickets for the gospel brunch are $35 each.
The complete list of Bayou Classic events is as follows:
• My Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade — Thursday, November 24, 201, from the Louisiana Superdome to the French Market – 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Coaches Luncheon (Invitation Only) Friday, November 25, Hyatt Regency Hotel (Celestin Ballrooms IV & V) — Noon
• Battle of the Bands and Greek Show, Friday, November 25
Louisiana Superdome — 7:00 p.m.
• Corporate Reception (Invitation Only), Friday, November 25
• HBCU Institute, Friday, November 25, Hyatt Regency Hotel (Celestin Ballroom I) – 2:00 p.m.
• My Bayou Classic Empowerment Exchange: Career Fair, College Fair, Health Fair, and Technology Village, Friday, November 25, Hyatt Regency Hotel (Celestin Ballrooms) — 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• KaBOOM! Playground Build, Friday, November 25
• My Bayou Classic Golf Tournament, Friday, November 25, Joe Bartholomew Golf Course (Pontchartrain Park) — 9:00 a.m. (Check In: 8:00 a.m.)
• Fan Festival, Saturday, November 26, Champions Square — 10:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• State Farm® Bayou Classic, Saturday, November 26, Louisiana Superdome — 1:30 p.m. Kickoff
• My Bayou Classic House Party, Saturday, November 26, — Club XLIV – 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
• Inspirational Gospel Brunch, Sunday, November 27, Harrah’s New Orleans Theatre — 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
For information on the Thanksgiving Day Parade and all official Bayou Classic events, go to www.MyBayouClassic.com.
This article was originally published in the November 21, 2011 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper
