NEW ORLEANS – The Bayou Classic announced their official schedule of events today for the upcoming series of events beginning November 26, 2013. Each year, this weekend of events brings together family, friends and alumni of Grambling State University and Southern University to see one of America’s greatest college sports rivalries and celebrate football, family and the traditions surrounding Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The proceeds from the week-long series of events are provided to both schools for student scholarships.
This year’s schedule includes the fan favorite Battle of the Bands and Greek Show, occurring November 29, as well as a couple of new events.
“This is a big year – the big 4-0 – and we are ready to celebrate with new events and bigger events that celebrate what the Bayou Classic has brought our community for over 40 years,” said Dottie Belletto, President of New Orleans Convention Company, Inc., the management firm of the 40th Annual Bayou Classic. “We’ve put together our schedule of events focused on continuing our work to make Bayou Classic fan and family friendly, but have developed new programming that helps nourish our HBCU community through their financial & health success.”
The schedule for the 40th Annual Bayou Classic includes (all events are open to the public unless noted):
Tuesday, November 26
10 am
Bayou Classic Kick-off Press Conference (open to all media and others by invitation only)
Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Wednesday, November 27
NEW EVENT FOR THE 40th ANNUAL BAYOU CLASSIC
Bayou Classic Economic Development Consortium (by invitation only)
Thursday November 28 (Thanksgiving Day)
3:30-6 pm
Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade
Parade route from Mercedes-Benz Superdome to the French Market
Friday, November 29
9 am
Bayou Classic Golf Tournament
Joe Bartholomew Golf Course at Pontchartrain Park
10 am-4 pm
Bayou Classic Empowerment Exchange: Focusing on Careers & Planning
Hyatt Regency Hotel
NEW EVENT FOR THE 40th ANNUAL BAYOU CLASSIC
10 am-4 pm
Bayou Classic Empowerment Exchange: Focusing on Health & Wellness
Hyatt Regency Hotel
NEW EVENT FOR THE 40th ANNUAL BAYOU CLASSIC
All day
Bayou Classic Hack-A-Thon
Hyatt Regency Hotel
12 pm
Coaches Luncheon (by invitation only)
Hyatt Regency Hotel
Noon – 6 pm
Bayou Classic Fan Fest
Champions Square
6 pm
Welcome Reception (by invitation only)
Mercedes-Benz Superdome
6 pm
Battle of the Bands and Greek Show
Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Saturday, November 30
NEW OFFICIAL EVENT FOR THE 40th ANNUAL BAYOU CLASSIC
8 am
Doc Griggs 2X’s Around the Dome
Mercedes-Benz Superdome
(Registration starts at 7:30 am)
10 am – 4 pm
Bayou Classic Fan Fest
Champions Square
1:30 pm
The 40th Annual Bayou Classic
Mercedes-Benz Superdome
(Doors open at Noon; kickoff at 1:30 pm)
Sunday, December 1
10 am
Bayou Classic Gospel Brunch
House of Blues
In advance of this year’s 40th celebration of the Bayou Classic, the Bayou Classic Roadshow will travel to events and five football games this year, including both Grambling and Southern universities’ Homecoming games. The Bayou Classic Roadshow gives fans an opportunity to participate in challenges, win prizes, meet former Bayou Classic participants and share why they think their favorite team will win The Bayou Classic. The schedule of stops on the Bayou Classic Roadshow is:
Saturday, June 1
Black Nurses Association Community Health & College Fair at Edgewater Mall
Biloxi, Ms.
Saturday, June 22
Gentlemen’s Cooking Classic at the Shreveport Convention Center
Shreveport, La.
Thursday, June 27 – Saturday, June 29
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Celebration at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Museum
Alexandria, La.
Friday, July 19 – Monday, July 22
National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference at the Fort Worth Convention Center
Fort Worth, Tx.
Wednesday, July 31 – Saturday, August 3
National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Convention & Career Fair at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
Kissimmee, Fl.
Saturday, September 7
Grambling State vs. University of Louisiana at Monroe
Monroe, La.
Saturday, September 28
Southern University vs. Jackson State
Baton Rouge, La.
Saturday, October 5
Southern University vs. Alcorn State (Homecoming Game)
Baton Rouge, La.
Saturday, November 2
Grambling State vs. MS Valley State (Homecoming Game)
Grambling, Ms.
Saturday, November 16
Southern University vs. Clark Atlanta
Baton Rouge, La.
“The Bayou Classic Roadshow is an exciting event that brings together students, alumni and fans from both Grambling State University and Southern University,” added Belletto. “The Roadshow will bring a unique experience to each fan base and we will be able to further extend the traditions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities through our presence at these events and five exciting games.”
