With Super Bowl LIX just hours away, New Orleans had to make sure the fun kicked off the Louisiana way.
For the first time in all 11 years they have hosted the famous event, the New Orleans Super Bowl Committee hosted a Mardi Gras style parade, which they called “Super Gras.”
“It’s a way to show off New Orleans culture. We got the bands, we got the floats, we got the Mardi Gras Indians and the 610 Stompers. This is as authentic New Orleans as you will ever see,” Chair of New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee, Marcus Brown said.
Brown explained that when they first started thinking of how to make this year’s Super Bowl unique, the answer was right in front of them.
“The city is great. The culture, the music, the food; people love all that,” Brown said. “But what can we add to that? A Mardi Gras style parade.”
Not only were local schools and Krews highlighted in the parade, Louisiana’s very own Todd Graves, owner and founder of Raising Cane’s was the king. Graves rode on the Krewe of Bacchus King’s float, which has been cruising down the streets of the city since 1969.
“You know this parade was the highlight for me, getting to ride and have everyone enjoy the parade,” Graves said. “There’s people here from all different places who have never even seen a parade before. So them getting to enjoy will be really special.”
Though the New Year’s attacks in New Orleans may have been two months ago, the events left a long lasting effect on the city. Both security and the opportunity to show the way the city has come together were high priorities for the committee.
“This is a great display of the resilience of this city, and this community and these people; and that we are able to bounce back from anything,” Brown said.
Todd Graves was not the only local legend participating in this year’s parade. LSU’s very own Tigerband strutted near the front of the procession to the infamous fight song.
Super Bowl LIX will kickoff tomorrow night with the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles at 5:30 CT, but if you ask Graves he’ll say he’s neutral.
