Countdown to the Independence Bowl
Several events lead up to college football game
Special to 318 Forum
The 48th Independence Bowl returns to Shreveport, but the event means more than football.
Several activites are planned to whet the appetite for the sporting extravaganza.
The Rally on the Red
• Friday, Dec. 27, from 6:30-10 p.m. – Louisiana Boardwalk & East Bank District. Free.
Brought to you by Cardinaux Wealth Advisors and Heard, McElroy & Vestal, the Rally on the Red gets local and traveling Independence Bowl fans ready for game day with four free events for fans of all ages on Friday, Dec. 27.
The Mardi Gras Preview Parade begins the night at 6:30 p.m. – flowing through the Louisiana Boardwalk and East Bank District. Following the parade’s conclusion, the two school marching bands 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 is a fireworks show at 7:45 p.m.
Culminating the night at 8 p.m. is a free concert from The Spazmatics in Hurricane Alley in the East Bank District!
Mardi Gras Preview Parade
• Friday, Dec. 27, from 6:30-7:15 p.m. – Louisiana Boardwalk & East Bank District. Free.
The Mardi Gras Preview Parade kicks off the night. The parade features floats from a variety of local Mardi Gras krewes and the two university bands and spirit squads! The parade begins in the Louisiana Boardwalk and flows through the Boardwalk and the East Bank District, ending at the East Bank Plaza.
Battle of the Bands
• Friday, Dec. 27, from 7:15-7:45 p.m. – East Bank District Plaza. Free.
Right after the Mardi Gras Preview Parade, the two university marching bands and spirit squads go back and forth in a Battle of the Bands in the East Bank District Plaza! Local fans and fans of both schools gather right around the bands and cheer on their squads!
Fireworks Show
• Friday, Dec. 27, from 7:45-8 p.m. – East Bank District. Free.
Following the Battle of the Bands, there will be a fireworks show right behind Hurricane Alley in the East Bank District. The show will be visible all throughout the East Bank District!
Free Concert – The Spazmatics
• Friday, Dec. 27, from 8-10 p.m. – Hurricane Alley in the East Bank District. Free.
Culminating the Rally on the Red will be a free concert in Hurricane Alley in the East Bank District from The Spazmatics – internationally renowned as the ultimate ’80s new wave tribute!
Coca-Cola Fan Fest
• Saturday, Dec. 28, from 3:30-7:30 p.m. – Silver Lot on the Northeast Side of Independence Stadium. Free.
The fun starts early on game day, Saturday, Dec. 28, with Coca-Cola Fan Fest from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. outside the stadium! Coca-Cola Fan Fest has entertainment for all ages – featuring live music from the Leif Meche Band and DJ Hotboy Yoshi! There is also cornhole, a Kids’ Zone and inflatables, face painting, local food trucks, drinks and a special appearance from Santa Claus.
The Battle of the Bands is a Bowl highlight.
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
• Saturday, Dec. 28, at 8:15 p.m. – Independence Stadium
• Tickets at RadianceTechnologiesIndependence-Bowl.com/tickets/
• Individual Tickets – Endzone Bench $20-$30 / Sideline Bench $45-$55 / Sideline Chairback $50-$70
• Group Tickets $20 / Family Four-Packs $160- $300 / Small Business Fan Pack starting at $300 / Chairman’s Club $275
Nothing is better than Saturday night college fotball! The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, the 11th most historic bowl game in college football, returns for its 48th playing on Saturday, Dec. 28, at 8:15 p.m.. Shreveport-Bossier is one of 35 communities in the U.S. to have a college bowl game, and this year should be an exciting matchup under the lights in primetime!
