In New Orleans, it’s never just a football game. We are the WhoDat Nation, the town who bleeds black and gold on the streets and at work (dress code be damned) on game day, the people who believe the next win is always in sight. We are also a town populated by Southerners raised on football traditions of arranging all events, including marriages and funerals, around college and NFL football schedules.
So it shouldn’t surprise you, then, that in New Orleans, the Bayou Classic is never just a football game.
The Bayou Classic pits the Southern University Jaguars and the Grambling State University Tigers, two Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU), against each other for the priceless bragging rights to a whole year of state football pride. Like so many NOLA events, the Bayou Classic is filled with fun for all ages, here spread over the course of Thanksgiving weekend.
Start your holiday outdoors by registering for the Bayou Classic Golf Tournament or hitting up the Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade featuring both of the exhilarating school marching bands before heading back home for your Turkey Day meal. Too full to stand? Dance it off during the Battle of the Bands and the Greek Show on Friday, which upholds a long-time NOLA tradition of sensational music from serious student musicians and a stomp show that will knock your socks off.
The Classic also features a Grambling vs. Southern beauty pageant, and a job fair for graduating students, all before the teams finally kick off on Nov 24 at 1:30 p.m. inside the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Before the teams hit the field, Grammy nominee Ledisi will serenade the Dome with the national anthem. Finally, in the best Big Easy style, bring it home with a Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues. Good food, good music, good football: now that’s the way to do holidays New Orleans-style.
Listen to the GoNOLA Radio Bayou Classic episode with special alumni president guests from Grambling and Southern talking with our hosts about their age-old rivalry and all the fun happenings at Bayou Classic 2012 in New Orleans!
