The Start of a New Bayou Classic and Thanksgiving Day Tradition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
Media Contact:
Jeffrey D. Ory, ABC, APR
il Stratega Marketing & Communication
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jeffrey@jeffreyory.com                                                                                           

The Start of a New Bayou Classic and Thanksgiving Day Tradition
The 38^th Annual State Farm Bayou Classic will commence with a Thanksgiving Day afternoon parade

WHAT:                The 38^th Annual State Farm Bayou Classicâ will commence on Thanksgiving Day with a new tradition - a Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade is the start of a new Bayou Classic and Thanksgiving Day tradition in New Orleans. The theme of the Thanksgiving Parade will be "Bayou Classic Honors HBCUs."

The Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade will conclude at the French Market with a host of special Bayou Classic youth activities at the Market.

DATE:                Thanksgiving Afternoon - Thursday, November 24, 2011

TIME:                  Start time is 4 p.m.

ROUTE:              The Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade will start at 4 pm on Poydras Street at the Superdome and will finish at the French Market on North Peters.
Route details: Start at Poydras by the Superdome, turn left on Loyola, turn right on N. Peters, onto Decatur, bear right at North Peters and finish at the French Market on North Peters

WHO:                   The parade will feature 10 marching bands, including both the legendary Southern University's Human Jukebox and Grambling State University Tiger Marching bands. It is reported that this will be the first time that Southern and Grambling will both march on the streets in New Orleans in almost three decades.

Other top bands include the St. Augustine Marching 100, McDonough 35, O. Perry Walker Charger Marching Band, Xavier Prep, St. Mary's Academy, Warren Easton, the US Marine Corp Marching Band and the Roots of Music Marching Crusaders.

The Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade also will honor the 50th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides. The Freedom Riders will ride together on their own float.

Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club is contributing both marching and motorized Zulu units to the parade. Zulu will parade with the Rebirth Brass Band. Young Men Olympian Junior, the nations oldest second line organization, will roll in the parade with the Hot 8 Brass Band.

The parade will conclude with a special float for Santa and his elves, who will then take the stage at the French Market as part of a whole host of special Bayou Classic youth activities at the Market that will follow.

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