Football is just part of the fun in store for crowds

Special to 318Forum

Don’t miss out on an action-packed lineup for the 2023 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl starting on Dec. 14, culminating in Saturday, Dec. 16, at 8:15 p.m. at the game featuring Cal Golden Bears vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders.

FCA Breakfast

Thursday, Dec. 14, at 7:30 p.m. at Riverview Hall (Tickets $10)

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes Breakfast is presented annually for the participating teams, their coaches and administration. Hosted by the NWLA FCA Chapter, this event annually hosts hundreds of guests, offering breakfast and featured speakers who give their testimonies. Tickets to the FCA Breakfast, scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 14, at 7:30 a.m. at Riverview Hall, are $10 and can be purchased at RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/fanevents/.

Rally On The Red

Mardi Gras Preview Parade, Battle of the Bands, Fireworks Show and Taylor Swift Tribute Band Concert Friday, Dec. 15, from 6:30-10 p.m. at the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets & East Bank District (Free).

The Rally on the Red gets fans ready for game day with four free events for fans of all ages on Friday, Dec. 15. The Explore Louisiana Mardi Gras Preview Parade will start the night at 6:30 p.m. The parade will feature floats from local Mardi Gras krewes and the two school’s bands and spirit squads. It will begin at the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets and roll through the East Bank District in Bossier City.

Following the parade’s conclusion, the two school marching bands will play in a Battle of the Bands at 7:15 p.m. in the East Bank District Plaza. After the two bands duke it out, there will be a fireworks show at 7:45 p.m. behind Hurricane Alley in the East Bank District.

Culminating the night at 8 p.m. will be a free concert from a Taylor Swift Tribute Band in Hurricane Alley – located behind Beauxjax Crafthouse, Frozen Pirogue and Bayou Axe Co. Hurricane Alley is a great outdoor music venue with access to all three restaurants and bars for food and drinks.

Coca-Cola Fan Fest

Saturday, Dec. 16, from 12-7:30 p.m. in the Silver Lot outside Independence Stadium (Free)

The fun starts early on game day, Saturday, Dec. 16, and goes all day leading up to the game with the free Coca-Cola Fan Fest from 12-7:30 p.m. on the northeast side of Independence Stadium in the Silver Lot. Coca-Cola Fan Fest will have entertainment for all ages – featuring live music all day from the Leif Shively Band, Hidden Tracks and DJ Hotboy Yoshi. There will also be cornhole, a Kids’ Zone and inflatables, face painting, a gaming bus, local food trucks, drinks and a special appearance from Santa Claus.

47 th Radiance Technologies

Independence Bowl Saturday, Dec. 16, at 8:15 p.m. at Independence Stadium

The 47th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl kicks off at 8:15 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16! Come out to Independence Stadium for the primetime matchup between the Big 12 and Pac-12! Individual tickets range from $20-70, and great ticket packages are available, like group tickets, Family 4-Packs, and Small Business Fan Packs. Concessions at the 2023 Independence Bowl will include offerings from Sonic Drive-In, PJ’s Coffee, Texas Roadhouse and traditional stadium food. Fans can buy tickets and parking at RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/tickets or call the bowl office at (318) 221-0712.