Bossier City is excited to host pregame festivities as part of the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl 2022
This year the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will include Bossier City in some amazing pregame festivities. The 2023 bowl game will feature the University of Louisiana Lafayette and the University of Houston. As part of the events week of pregame activities Bossier City will host Rally on the Red. The events aim is to showcase the very best of what our area has to offer as fans from both teams descend upon Northwest Louisiana to participate in all things gameday and beyond. Locals are encouraged to be a part of the fun!
Check out the events hosted in Bossier City, LA:
RALLY ON THE RED – FREE NIGHT OF ENTERTAINMENT
The Rally on the Red is a free night of entertainment for local and traveling fans to celebrate the return of the Independence Bowl. Rally on the Red is comprised of three main events – the Mardi Gras Preview Parade, Battle of the Bands and a Parish County Line concert. Between the Battle of the Bands and concert, there will be a fireworks show. The events will all take place in the East Bank District in Bossier City, with the concert starting in the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets and ending in the East Bank District. The Rally on the Red is the night before the game on Thursday, December 22. The parade will start the festivities at 6:30 p.m. and Parish County Line will culminate the night from 8-10 p.m. Below are more details on all three events.
Mardi Gras Preview Parade
Kicking off the free night of fun, the Mardi Gras Preview Parade will feature floats from local Mardi Gras Krewes, as well as the school bands and spirit squads. It will start at 6:30 p.m. and roll through the Louisiana Boardwalk and the East Bank District in Bossier City – leading into the Battle of the Bands at 7:15 p.m. in the East Bank Plaza.
Battle of the Bands
Following the Mardi Gras Preview Parade, the two school marching bands and spirit squads will play in a Battle of the Bands in the plaza of the East Bank District at 7:15 p.m. Always entertaining, the pep rally atmosphere will last for approximately 30 minutes. Following the Battle of the Bands, there will be a fireworks show at 7:45 p.m. behind Hurricane Alley in the East Bank District to get fans ready for the headliners of the night – Parish County Line.
Parish County Line Concert
Back to headline Rally on the Red for the first time since 2018, Baton Rouge’s Parish County Line will headline the night with a free concert in Hurricane Alley – the area behind BeauJax Crafthouse, Frozen Pirogue and Bayou Axe Co. in the East Bank District. PCL will rock out from 8-10 p.m. on the big stage for fans of all ages.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS NEAR PARADE ROUTE
East Bank District:
The East Bank District is Bossier City's only open container district with a focus on local entertainment and appreciation for the arts. The East Bank is home to restaurants such as Beauxjax Crafthouse, Frozen Pirogue, El Patio, and Lil'taliano. You can find two local craft breweries in the East Bank including, Flying Heart Brewpub and Red River Brewpub at the Garage. Bayou Axe Co is Louisiana's first Axe Throwing bar and proudly calls the East Bank home. Hurricane Alley will be concert central December 22nd for the live performance by Parish County Line Bossier Arts Council is located in the East Bank and offers art exhibits, live theatrical performances, and manages the district's festival plaza. There are plenty of options for parade spectators to find a place to hangout.
Quick Links to East BanK Establishments:
BeauxJax Crafthouse- www.beauxjax.com
Frozen Pirogue- www.frozenpirogue.com
Bayou Axe Co.- www.bayouaxe.com
Hurricane Alley LIVE- www.EastBankMafia.com
Flying Heart Brewing- www.flyingheartbrewing.com
El Patio- www.elpatiomexicangrill.com
Red River Brewpub- www.redriverbeer.com
Bossier Arts Council- www.bossierarts.org
Louisiana Boardwalk:
The Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets is an outdoor shopping center combining retail shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. It is located in Bossier City, Louisiana, between the Horseshoe Bossier City and Margaritaville Resort Casino. It is one of the largest outlet malls in Louisiana. This NWLA gem is home to retail outlets such as Bass Pro, Nike and Express. There are multiple restaurants such as Saltgrass, Hooters, and Joe's Crab Shack. There is ample parking for spectators of the Rally on the Red events.
Quick Links to Louisiana Boardwalk:
Louisiana Boardwalk- www.louisianaboardwalk.com
Parade Route:
The parade will begin in the North Parking lot of Margarittaville Resort and Casino. It will work it's way through the Louisiana Boardwalk and then through the East Bank District ending at East Bank Festival Plaza for Battle of the Bands. One block away at 500 Ogilvie Hurricane Alley LIVE will host the concert with Parish County Line.
