Memory Lane: My First Bayou Classic Experience

Bayou Classic. The people, food, parade, bands, and let us not forget about the great football game, Grambling vs. Southern.
Bayou Classic is the place to be for fun and entertainment.
I first experienced Bayou Classic in November 2016.
As a freshman in the band from Trotwood Ohio, I have never had such a dazzling experience in my life that can compare.
I remember marching into the Mercedes-Benz Superdome; we had the lights shining on us, cameras pointed at us, and people were shouting for us. It was the limelight.
We then got on stage to play at the Battle of The Bands, and I remember looking out, and seeing flashes all across the stadium in the stands from top to bottom and left to right; people recording and snapping pictures of the band.
On the side of us were our rivals, Grambling State University.
Adrenaline rushing and ready to play, we were pumping each other up and fired back to show who was best.
The Battle of the Bands was a fun and exciting experience. Both bands did a great job.
GSU and SU are like family but when it’s time to battle, it’s go time and this is something Bayou Classic has taught me.
The Bayou Classic football game, Southern vs. Grambling was something the band freshman class of 2016 had been anxiously waiting for all year long.
The halftime show came and we performed on the New Orleans Saints football field, which was my first time ever stepping foot on field.
This was a great experience because I was walking in the footsteps of great NFL players.
Two quarters later; by the end of our halftime show, it was finally the time we would be crossed into the band and no longer be underclassmen.
Once the clock hit 00:00 at the end of the football game, we were finally upperclassmen.
Some of my fellow freshman class band brothers and sisters cried, some laughed, and some were just glad to have made it through.
We talked about all the times we had to get up early to practice and stay late, and how happy we were to have made it through together. It was one of the best days of my life.
After Bayou Classic, the place to go is Bourbon Street.
Bourbon in New Orleans after Bayou Classic is similar to a big party to celebrate the long time history or simply, to party.
Being on Bourbon Street for the first time, I remember it being a lot of people, everywhere you walk. You take two steps and someone’s there. It was kind of overwhelming.
On the other hand, people would throw beaded necklaces down to you from the balcony, entertainment was everywhere and people were just there to have fun.
Furthermore, the food on Bourbon Street was delicious! It was my first time ever having beignets and crawfish.
Bayou Classic has showed me so many different experiences and they were all great.
I encourage everyone to attend Bayou Classic at least one time in their lives. You will be amazed by the culture, astonished by the foods, and blown away by the talents and sounds of both marching bands.
Bayou Classic is an event that has been celebrated since 1974 and is a great place to attend for entertainment, fun, and good laughs.
The big event only comes once a year, and I encourage everyone who is able, to attend.
The experience is breathtaking and enriching.
I hope to see you at this year’s celebration!