Tips

Bayou Classic 40 features new events

 

It’s Bayou Classic time again, with events this year kicking off on Tuesday of Thanksgiving week.

Each year, Bayou Classic events bring 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. 

This year’s schedule includes the fan favorite Battle of the Bands and Greek Show, occurring Friday, Nov. 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,” Belletto said. 

The proceeds from the weeklong series of events are provided to both schools for student scholarships.

The schedule for the 40th Annual Bayou Classic includes (all events are open to the public unless noted):

Tuesday, Nov. 26 

10 a.m., Bayou Classic Kick-off Press Conference (open to all media and others by invitation only), Mercedes-Benz Superdome

Wednesday, Nov. 27

Bayou Classic Economic Development Summit, a new event, (by invitation only), time TBD

Thursday Nov. 28

3:30 p.m.-6 p.m. Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade,  from Mercedes-Benz Superdome to the French Market

Friday, Nov. 29

9 a.m. Bayou Classic Golf Tournament, Joe Bartholomew Golf Course at Pontchartrain Park (8 a.m. check-in time)

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Bayou Classic Career Fair and Empowerment Exchange: Focusing on Careers & Planning (a new event), Hyatt Regency Hotel

All day Bayou Classic Hack-A-Thon, Hyatt Regency Hotel

Noon Coaches Luncheon (by invitation only), Hyatt Regency Hotel

Noon-6 p.m. Bayou Classic Fan Fest, Champions Square

6 p.m.-8 p.m. Welcome Reception (by invitation only), Mercedes-Benz Superdome

6 p.m.-10 p.m. Battle of the Bands and Greek Show, Mercedes-Benz Superdome

10  p.m. Soiree Gala (after-party), Club XLIV at Champions Square

Saturday, Nov. 30

8 a.m. Doc Griggs 2x’s Around the Dome, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Registration starts at 7:30 am)

10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Bayou Classic Fan Fest, Champions Square

1:30 p.m. 40th Annual Bayou Classic, Mercedes-Benz Superdome (doors open at noon)

8:30 p.m. Rolling on the River Cruise (new event), Riverboat Natchez

Sunday, Dec. 1

10 a.m. Bayou Classic Gospel Brunch, House of Blues