ARE YOU READY FOR ALL THE ACTIVITIES AT THE 2010 STATE FARM BAYOU CLASSIC?

The 37^th Annual State Farm Bayou Classic® is almost here, and a full slate of events is scheduled beginning November 26 in the great city of New Orleans.  One of the most celebrated events in the country, the State Farm Bayou Classic® commemorates historically black colleges and universities, academic achievement, tradition, sportsmanship, marching bands, and friendly competition. 

On Friday, November 26 the weekend begins with the annual State Farm Bayou Classic® community event, the KaBOOM! playground build.  This year, makes five playgrounds, five schools and five communities enriched through KaBOOM! during the Bayou Classic. The event will take place at the Intercultural Charter School in New Orleans from 8:00am – 2:30pm.  KaBOOM! is a national non-profit that envisions a great place to play within walking distance for every child in North America.  Since 1995, KaBOOM! has used its innovative community-build model to bring together business and community interests to construct more than 1,600 new playgrounds, skate parks, sports fields, and ice rinks.

Also on Friday, November 26 is the State Farm Bayou Classic® Super Job and HBCU College Fair. The event is free of charge, and is designed for individuals actively seeking employment and for prospective students.  Employers at the Super Job Fair will be looking for top-quality talent to fill positions.  High school, college, and non-traditional students will have the opportunity to discuss undergraduate and graduate programs with school admissions personnel. 

Friday’s final event will be one for the ages as the highly-anticipated Battle of the Bands and Greek Show takes to the New Orleans Superdome to rock the crowd.  Once again the event will showcase bands, fraternities, and sororities from Southern University and Grambling State University in the country’s most fierce competition.

Saturday, November 27 will begin with the Fan Festival on the grounds of the Louisiana Superdome.   Rain or shine, this interactive fan experience will take place from 10:00am – 6:00pm.  The Fan Festival, and its free concert sponsored by WYLD 98.5 and Q 93.3, will feature live entertainment (to be announced), games, vendors, and giveaways.  Check the State Farm Bayou Classic Facebook page for regular updates.

During the fan festival, there will be a Health Fair, sponsored by the Louisiana AIDS/HIV Program and The Black Barbershop Health Outreach Project, which will offer free cholesterol and high blood pressure screenings, HIV/AIDS tests, take-home kidney tests and other prevention material.

The culmination of the weekend, and the main event, is the State Farm Bayou Classic® which kicks off at 1:00pm central time on November 27.  In its 37^th year, the matchup between Southern and Grambling is always one to remember and this year will be no different as the Tigers and Jaguars battle to break and 18-18 Bayou Classic tie. This is the only historically black college football game televised live nationally on NBC. Tickets for the State Farm Bayou Classic® range from $15 - $50.  Tickets for the Battle of the Bands and Greek Step Show are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.  All tickets can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, online atwww.ticketmaster.com or at the Southern University and Grambling State University Box Offices. 

For additional information, current updates and hotel information please, visit the website, www.statefarmbayouclassic.com or contact The Bickerstaff Group at 202-363-2375 or tickets@statefarmbayouclassic.com.