Allstate Sugar Bowl New Year’s Parade returns to New Orleans

Football Classic To Be Played on Dec. 31, Parade Rolls on Dec. 30

NEW ORLEANS – The Allstate Sugar Bowl New Year’s Parade, a Mardi Gras-style parade with floats, bands and other participants, entertains fans young and old on Friday, December 30 prior to the 89th annual Allstate Sugar Bowl on December 31.

The parade, which is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m. at the intersection of Elysian Fields Avenue and Decatur Street, will travel through the French Quarter up Decatur Street along the Mississippi River. It will pass iconic landmarks such as The Old US Mint, the French Market, Cafe du Monde and Jackson Square. Check back for final route details and times.

The Parade will be broadcast live by WDSU-TV in New Orleans and will be simulcast on WVTM-TV in Birmingham. The parade is scheduled to pass the WDSU main stage at Oscar Dunn Park across from Jackson Square, where the station will set up its live coverage. The WDSU broadcast will also be available online for out-of-town fans to enjoy all the excitement.

The parade will wrap up at Canal Street.

Not only is the parade a spectator event, but fans also have the opportunity to participate. Sugar Bowl fans and fans of Alabama and K-State have the opportunity for one of the most unique New Orleans experiences. Each school will be represented by a massive 50’ long, 17’ high custom-designed float. Fans can click here to purchase the opportunity to ride on one of these custom floats and throw team-branded beads and other giveaways. The all-inclusive package includes a pre-parade tailgate from 1-2:30 p.m., an exclusive bead package, and more.

“We have fans coming in from areas that may not get to see Mardi Gras or to participate in Mardi Gras,” said Jeff Hundley, the CEO of the Allstate Sugar Bowl. “So parade organizers have made it available for fans to purchase a spot on a float. It comes inclusive with throws and everything that you would need to participate. For many this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

This year’s Allstate Sugar Bowl, the 89th edition of the college football classic, will feature No. 5 Alabama, from the Southeastern Conference, and No. 9 Kansas State, from the Big 12 Conference. The game is scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. (Central) on Saturday, December 31, in the Caesars Superdome and will be televised by ESPN. This will be the 61st Sugar Bowl match-up between teams ranked in the Top 10 and the 35th match-up of 10-win teams.

“The Allstate Sugar Bowl is honored to host two of the best teams from the SEC and the Big 12 once again this year,” said Lloyd Frischhertz, the President of the Sugar Bowl Committee. “We’re thrilled to welcome Kansas State fans for the first time; and we’re always happy to have our old friends from Alabama back in town. We expect this to be an outstanding New Year’s weekend in New Orleans for the teams, their friends and family, and all of the amazing Wildcat and Crimson Tide fans.”

The Allstate Sugar Bowl has established itself as one of the premier college football bowl games, having hosted 28 national champions, 100 Hall of Fame players, 51 Hall of Fame coaches and 20 Heisman Trophy winners in its 88-year history. In addition to football, the Sugar Bowl Committee annually invests over $1 million into the community through the hosting and sponsorship of sporting events, awards, scholarships and clinics. Through these efforts, the organization supports and honors thousands of student-athletes each year, while injecting over $2.2 billion into the local economy in the last decade. For more information, visit www.AllstateSugarBowl.org.