Bayou Classic Announces 2012 Schedule of Events

The Bayou Classic recently announced their official schedule of events for the upcoming series of events beginning November 22, 2012. 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 Friday, 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.

"We’ve put together our schedule of events focused on our goal of making this year's Bayou Classic fan and family friendly," said Dottie Belletto, president of New Orleans Convention Company, Incorporated, the management firm of The 39th Annual Bayou Classic. "From the Battle of the Bands and Greek Show to the House of Blues Gospel Brunch to the HBCU Institute: Empowerment Exchange, there is truly an event for every member of the family to partake in at this year’s Bayou Classic."

The schedule for The 39th Annual Bayou Classic includes (all events are open to the public unless noted below):

Tuesday, November 20 10 a.m.

Coaches Press Conference (open to all media and others by invitation only)

Mercedes-Benz Superdome

Thursday November 22 (Thanksgiving Day) 3:30-6 pm

Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade presented by State Farm®

Parade route from Mercedes-Benz Superdome to the French Market

Friday, November 23 9 a.m.

Bayou Classic Golf Tournament presented by Cox Louisiana

Joe Bartholomew Golf Course

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

HBCU Institute: Empowerment Exchange Career & College Fair

Hyatt Regency Hotel

12 p.m.

Coaches Luncheon (by invitation only)

Hyatt Regency Hotel

2 p.m.

HBCU Institute

Hyatt Regency Hotel

6 p.m.

Welcome Reception (by invitation only)

Mercedes-Benz Superdome

7 p.m.

Battle of the Bands and Greek Show

Mercedes-Benz Superdome

Saturday, November 24 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Fan Fest

Champions Square

1:30 p.m.

The Bayou Classic

Mercedes-Benz Superdome

(Doors open at 12:30 p.m.; kickoff at 1:30 p.m.)

Sunday, November 25 10 a.m.

Bayou Classic Gospel Brunch

House of Blues

The Bayou Classic is supported by the following organizations for the 39th annual series of events -- State Farm®, U.S. Marine Corps, MillerCoors®, Toyota, The Home Depot®, The Coca-Cola Company, Louisiana>AIDS (Louisiana Greater Than AIDS), Cox Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana, the French Market Corporation and Visit Baton Rouge.

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.