The 51st Annual Bayou Classic – the nation’s largest HBCU football game between Grambling State University and Southern University – kicks off Saturday, Nov. 30, at 1 p.m., in the Caesars Superdome. The game combined with the Thanksgiving weekend of activities is projected to have an economic impact and boost for the city of New Orleans. According to Bayou Classic officials, the weekend of events is projected to bring more than 250,000 visitors to New Orleans this year. The Bayou Classic, presented by Procter & Gamble, annually generates $26.5 million in overall economic output to the State of Louisiana, $8.9 million in overall earnings, and more than 215 jobs. Including both direct, indirect and induced impacts, the Bayou Classic generates $750,255 in total sales and excise tax revenue annually. “We are thrilled to welcome fans, families, alumni, and visitors back to New Orleans and the Caesars Superdome for the 51st Annual Bayou Classic, celebrating the nation’s premier HBCU Classic,” said Dottie Belletto in a press release. Belletto serves as President and CEO of New Orleans Convention Company, Inc. (NOCCI), the management firm of the Bayou Classic. The Bayou Classic has been nationally televised on NBC since 1991 and will also be broadcast on SiriusXM/ESPNU radio. The Bayou Classic is the largest HBCU football classic in the U.S. with an attendance that has grown to close to 65,000 annually. The annual events kick off on Thanksgiving Day with the Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, Nov. 28, at 3 p.m. The parade begins at the Caesars Superdome on Poydras St., parades down Poydras to make a left on S. Peters Street, down S. Peters to make a left on Canal St., continues on Canal to make a left on St. Charles Ave., marches down St. Charles back to Poydras to make a right and ends at Poydras and Loyola streets. The parade has 13 floats and 20 bands and dance teams from New Orleans area high schools. During the parade, Second Harvest Food Bank will be in the last position with volunteers collecting food donations. “Business at Bayou Classic: A Black Small Business Showcase” will take place on Friday, Nov. 29, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. The expo, presented in partnership with the Louisiana Chamber of Commerce, showcases nonprofit, corporate, and local businesses, and students, alumni, and visitors can purchase items from small businesses and learn more about networking opportunities. There will also be panel programs throughout the day. Also on Friday, Nov. 29, the annual Bayou Classic Motivational Gameday Ball Run returns. The Southern University Army ROTC, along with Southern Navy and Grambling State University ROTC programs, will carry the official Bayou Classic gameday ball more than 100 miles from the F.G. Clark Activity Center (7722 Scenic Highway) in Baton Rouge to the Superdome (Gate A ground level). Their estimated arrival is Friday at 1 p.m. by the Superdome. Pregame festivities continue Friday at 6 p.m. in the Superdome with the Battle of Bands, Greek Show, and the 3rd Annual Bayou Classic Invitational High School Battle of the Bands, which will include bands from George Washington Carver High School, Abramson Sci Academy, Craigmont High School of Memphis, and Westbury High School of Southwest Houston. Several family-friendly and community events will take place on Saturday, Nov. 30. The Doc Griggs “Two Times Around the Dome” family fitness fun walk will be held at 7:30 a.m. near the Plaza Level at Gate C. The 4th Annual Special Olympics Unified Rivalry Flag Football Game will take place at 9 a.m. at St. Augustine Practice Field (2525 Bruxells Street). The Bayou Classic Fan Festival begins at Champions Square at 9 a.m. and lasts until noon. The “Embrace the Culture” Stage is presented by The City of New Orleans, Office of Cultural Economy, and the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund. There will be food, music, drinks, giveaways from P&G, Coca Cola, DXC Technologies, Home Depot, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Wells Fargo and more, and Rally Cry, a gaming technology, will feature a College Football 25 mobile gaming truck for students to compete for prizes and a custom championship trophy. LCMC Health will present a Health Zone for free health screenings and information. The 51st Annual Bayou Classic will include “Lift Every Voice and Sing” performed by Blair Dottin-Haley, of The Blairisms and with the Southern University Gospel Choir. GRAMMY® nominated, American contemporary Christian music and gospel singer Koryn Hawthorne will perform the National Anthem. Hawthorne was a finalist in season 8 of NBC’s The Voice. The halftime show, presented by The Coca-Cola Company, will feature the Grambling State University’s marching band and Southern University’s Human Jukebox and Dancing Dolls, with special appearances by world-renowned guitarist Jubu Smith, Boosie, among others.