Who can believe the holidays are already here? They creep up on us every year, and before you know it, we are planning Thanksgiving dinner and developing our holiday shopping plan of attack. Turkey Day is a mere two days away, and the day of, we have a special celebration that is right in line with our way of life here in the Big Easy.
(photo via mybayouclassic.com)
This week, we are host to not only folks who are making New Orleans their home away from home for the holiday, but also to the exuberant fans, alumni, faculty, and students of Grambling State University and Southern University that travel to NOLA every year for one of the greatest rivalries in college football history. The Bayou Classic is happening this week, and with it comes a host of exciting events, one of which makes our city even more exciting on Thanksgiving Day: the Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade.
(photo via mybayouclassic.com)
Starting at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, the legendary Grambling State University and Southern University marching bands will be joined by Alumni krewes, military units, parade floats, motorized units, and even some elements from the Krewe of Zulu, as well as local musicians, and plenty of eager spectators as they roll through town, bringing Thanksgiving thrills and joy to New Orleans. The parade begins at the Superdome and ends in the French Quarter at the French Market. The Bayou Classic is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and the Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of the many benefits we get to enjoy from all of this out-of-towner attention.
Once you stuff your belly with Turkey, or perhaps a nice fall vegan dish, come on out and enjoy a Thanksgiving festivity that every true New Orleanian can appreciate. We can all be thankful that visitors choose our fine city for events like this, because not only do they give a nice boost to our economy, they also make days like Thanksgiving all the more special. Happy Thanksgiving, and we’ll see you on the parade route!