French Quarter March for Famous Maroon Band



The Mississippi State University Famous Maroon Band will parade through the French Quarter in New Orleans this weekend as the Bulldog football team takes on the Tulane Green Wave at the Superdome this Saturday.

By BILL REEVES
Special to The Delta Dirt

NEW ORLEANS -- The Famous Maroon Band of Mississippi State University will bring jubilation and tears for the ardent supporters of MSU as it plays "Hail Dear Ole State" to the assembled fans traveling with the Bulldogs to The Big Easy this weekend for its encounter with Tulane in the Louisiana Superdome.

The reason for the excitement is that State's band will make an unprecedented march through the French Quarter before it regroups for a pre-game tailgate and pep rally on the west side of the Superdome at Gate G prior to the game.

The members of the Famous Maroon Band will entertain the thousands of loyal Bulldog fans enjoying the visit to the Vieux Carre as the band gathers at 3:00 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel on 555 Canal Street and marches the three blocks up Canal to Bourbon.

Upon entering the French Quarter on Bourbon Street, the MSU contingent will parade five blocks on Bourbon and then turn right onto Toulouse Street for one block. The procession will then turn right again and advance on Royal Street for the five block return to Canal for its termination.

The other MSU function starts at 3:00 p.m. on the west side of the Superdome The pep rally, featuring the MSU cheerleaders, is then set to begin at 4:30 p.m at the Superdome.

Many football fans may not understand the significance of the march through the French Quarter. The marching bands for both teams participating in the annual Sugar Bowl take the traditional parade on Bourbon and Royal.

Fans interrupt their fine dining at Galatiore’s and the Desire Oyster Bar at the Royal Sonesta Hotel on Bourbon or Brennan's and Antoine's on Royal to cheer as their bands plays the school's fight song.

Moreover, fans empty out of the famous Carousel Bar at the Monteleone Hotel as well as numerous other purveyors of spirits such as The Famous Door, Utopia and Razzoo's to sing and cheer as the marching bands energize and invigorate their loyal supporters.

Apparently, many Bulldog fans of all ages are eagerly awaiting the event in New Orleans. Several have even opined that the parade will be the highlight of the trip.

Jimmy Ball, a former MSU cheerleader and now a building supply magnate in Calhoun City, Miss. stated, "I know I will tear up when the band plays 'Hail Dear Ole State' as it struts down the historic rues in a city devastated just two years ago by Hurricane Katrina. New Orleans is known the world over for its lavish Mardi Gras parades, but the Famous Maroon Band will be the center of attention Saturday in the French Quarter."

Tommy Gregory of Greenwood, Miss. summed it up best when he articulated that "State will probably not make the Sugar Bowl while I'm still alive, so I know I will cherish the memories of the band marching in the Quarter at least once during my lifetime."

Even though the MSU football team may not have met some fans' expectations over the past several years, the Famous Maroon Band will definitely not disappoint this weekend.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Glad the Bulldogs will finally get to experience what the Rebels have 8 times.
8:19 PM
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