NEW ORLEANS –The Bayou Classic returns to New Orleans for its 39^th year with its series of fan and family-friendly events throughout the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend. 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; the two schools split $1.32 million for scholarships last year.
 
This year's schedule includes the fan favorite Battle of the Bands and Greek Show, occurring November 23, as well as several other events. Fans can look forward to starting off their weekend with the Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade and concluding with the Bayou Classic House of Blues Gospel Brunch.
 
QUICK FACTS
 
Economic impact: Bayou Classic provides a $30 million economic impact to the City of New Orleans.
Visitors to New Orleans: Bayou Classic brings more than 200,000 visitors to New Orleans annually.
Hotel occupancy: Bayou Classic annually delivers a total citywide occupancy of more than 90 percent.
Ticket sales: This year's Bayou Classic is ahead of tickets sales in comparison to last year by some 3,000 tickets.
Student Scholarships:Last year, the two schools split $1.32 million in proceeds from the series of Bayou Classic events. These proceeds provide support to the campuses' athletic programs and fund scholarships through the SU System Foundation and the GSU Foundation.
 
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday, November 22
Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade:  3:30 pm start time
Presented by State Farm
The 2^nd Annual Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade continues this Bayou Classic and Thanksgiving Day tradition in New Orleans. With eleven floats, more than 40 total units and 12 marching bands, this will be an opportunity to once again see Southern and Grambling both march on the streets in New Orleans.
 
Southern University and Grambling State University have launched a new program as part of The 39th Annual Bayou Classic to host a visiting band and dance team annually for the Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade. This year's “Future of HBCU Talent” high school band is the Jacksonville Red Devils Marching Band from Jacksonville High School, a secondary public school located in Jacksonville, Arkansas. This year's “Future of HBCU Talent” dance team comes to the Bayou Classic from Memphis, TN. The Divas of Olive Branch Majorette Team will travel to New Orleans to be part of the Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade.
 
Route details: Start at Poydras by the Superdome, turn left on O'Keefe, turn right on Canal, turn left on N. Peters, onto Decatur, bear right at North Peters and finish at the French Market on North Peters
 
Friday, November 23
Bayou Classic Golf Tournament: 8:30 am announcements, 9:00 am tee off
Presented by Cox Louisiana
Joe Bartholomew Golf Course at Pontchartrain Park (6514 Congress Drive)
Over 90 golfers participating in a golf tournament benefiting the Grambling State Foundation and the Southern University System's general scholarship funds.
 
HBCU Institute Empowerment Exchange: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Hyatt Regency New Orleans; Empire Ballroom (601 Loyola Avenue)
The HBCU Institute will feature HBCU university presidents and notable HBCU alumni gathered on stage for a panel discussion which will address important issues facing the HBCU community and underscore the importance of continuing these discussions throughout the year.  While the Bayou Classic centers around the most celebrated rivalry in HBCU football, the HBCU Institute seeks to use this occasion to cultivate the common ground between the two schools and foster larger conversations about ongoing challenges that impact all HBCU institutions. The program is:

10:30 am-Noon:              
The Next Four Years with Senator Mary Landrieu and State Representative Jared Brossett
What lies ahead for African Americans in the next four years? A look at the important issues facing our community: Education, Health Care & Jobs.
2:00 pm-4:00 pm           
Hazing at HBCUs with Roland Martin, Dr. Ronald Mason, Dr. Frank Pogue Congresswoman Frederica Wilson and students from both Southern and Granbling
What are colleges and universities doing to end this deadly culture? Adopting and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy
10:00 am – 4:00 pm     
Empowerment Exchange
Provides guests with the most up-to-date information on employment opportunities, continuing education, healthcare, and technological advances
Companies attending include Blue Cross Blue Shield, Progressive Insurance, Entergy and the US Marine Corps
 
Bayou Classic Fan Festival & Vendor Village: Noon – 6:00 pm
Champions Square at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome
An extremely popular pre-game celebration where live musical performances and other entertainment get the crowd warmed up for the game. Featured performances for Friday include Courtney Hart, Chris Baptist, Outsiders, Kevin Gates, Kevin Styles and Alaina. Full schedule can be reviewed at http://www.q93.com/pages/bayou_classic_fan_fest.html.
 
Battle of the Bands and Greek Show: 7:00 pm
Mercedes-Benz Superdome
NOTE: Media credentials needed to attend this event.
Approximately 25,000 people will be at the show, as the Southern and Grambling's historic marching bands strut across the Superdome in a colorful showdown that is the highlight of The Bayou Classic weekend for many attendees. In addition, the Greek show will feature creative skits from traditionally black Greek organizations across Louisiana.
 
This year as part of the Battle of the Bands we a Drumline Battle between the two schools, which is the first time this has ever been done in Bayou Classic history.

Saturday, November 24
Bayou Classic Fan Festival & Vendor Village: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Champions Square at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome
An extremely popular pre-game celebration where live musical performances and other entertainment get the crowd warmed up for the game. Featured performances for Saturday include Juvenile, Kid Kid, French Montana, Little Chuckie, Kevin Gates, Omarion, NaTee, Bridget Kellyand Kendrick Lamar. Full schedule can be reviewed at http://www.q93.com/pages/bayou_classic_fan_fest.html.

The Bayou Classic Game: 1:30 pm (doors open at Noon)
Mercedes-Benz Superdome
NOTE: Media credentials needed to attend this event.
More than 200,000 people come to New Orleans for the Bayou Classic weekend, and 50,000 - 60,000 make their way to the Bayou Classic game. The State Farm Bayou Classic® commemorates historically black colleges and universities, academic achievement, tradition, sportsmanship, marching bands, and friendly competition. The “Classic” is an exhibition of the high standards of academic achievement deeply embedded in the traditions of the two institutions - Grambling State University and Southern University.
 
Other game highlights:
National anthem:Award-winning artist Ledisi will perform the national anthem for this year's Bayou Classic.
Coin toss:To honor Eddie Robinson at the the winningest coach in NCAA Division I football history, the Coin Toss for the Bayou Classic will be identified as the Eddie Robinson Coin Toss.
Halftime show:In addition to the performances of Southern and Grambling's historic marching bands at halftime of the Bayou Classic game, this year Trumbone Shorty will join Southern during halftime to perform his hit, “Hurricane Season.”
Cruise giveaway:During the third quarter of the Bayou Classic a five-day Western Caribbean Cruise on the Carnival Elation will be given away. This will be a “lucky-seat” prize and the winner must be present, in their seat to win.
 
Sunday, November 25
Bayou Classic Gospel Brunch: 10:00 am
House of Blues (225 Decatur Street)
The Bayou Classic Weekend comes to an inspirational climax with a Gospel Brunch at House of Blues. Enjoy a traditional New Orleans brunch while listening to our featured performers – the Wimberly Family Gospel Singers.
 
About The Bayou Classic
The Bayou Classic features one of America's greatest college sports rivalries, bringing the fans and alumni of Southern University and Grambling State University to New Orleans for a celebration of football, family and the traditions and pageantry surrounding Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Last year, the two schools split $1.32 million in proceeds from the series of Bayou Classic events. These proceeds provide support to the campuses' athletic programs and fund scholarships through the SU System Foundation and the GSU Foundation.
 
The Bayou Classic is supported by the following organizations for the 39th annual series of events – State Farm, MillerCoors, US Marine Corps , Toyota, Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board, The Home Depot®, The Coca-Cola Company, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC), New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, McDonalds, Cox Louisiana, Louisiana>AIDS (Louisiana Greater Than AIDS), The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living, the French Market Corporation, Entergy, Visit Baton Rouge, Jacobs Engineering, State of Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, L'Auberge Baton Rouge, Crystal Hot Sauce, CH2MHILL, The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc., the Downtown Development District and 100 Black Men of Atlanta.
 
Ticket Information
Tickets for the 39th Annual Bayou Classic and the Battle of the Bands & Greek Show are on sale now. Tickets for both events can be purchased at the following locations: the Bayou Classic website (www.mybayouclassic.com), Ticketmaster, the New Orleans Arena Box Office, the Grambling State University Ticket Office or the Southern University Ticket Office.
 
Hotel rooms
Many New Orleans hotels are offering special rates for Bayou Classic guests. Visit mybayouclassic.com when booking your room to review promotion codes for special rates.