New Orleans, LA ( February 8, 2010) - To honor the New Orleans Saints as the Super Bowl XLIV Champions, the City of New Orleans and Jefferson Parish will commemorate the team's success with a Mardi Gras style Black and Gold Super Bowl parade and celebration on Tuesday, February 9. The parade featuring owners Tom Benson and Rita Benson LeBlanc, Saints players, team administration and a host of local marching bands will kick off at 5 p.m., and will roll from Poydras and LaSalle Streets to St. Charles Avenue with a stop at Gallier Hall, passing down Canal Street and ending on Convention Center Boulevard.
During the parade, Mayor C. Ray Nagin, the New Orleans City Council, Jefferson Parish President Steve J. Theriot, and the Jefferson Parish Council, along with several local, state and regional officials, will toast the NFL World Champions' remarkable success in the 2009 NFL season. The parade will honor the Saints achievements in winning the National Football Conference (NFC) championship, and for bringing home the infamous Vince Lombardi trophy to the City of New Orleans.
TICKET INSTRUCTIONS
Today, from noon to 3 p.m., the City will make available 1000 invitations for viewing stands in Lafayette Square to the Who Dat Nation. Tickets will be available on a first come first serve basis. Citizens interested in participating should go to the SMG ticket office on the ground level Gate A at the Louisiana Superdome to receive tickets for the Lafayette Square/Federal Reserve Mardi Gras stands. Parking for fans procuring tickets will be available in garage #6 (facing Poydras Street and Claiborne Avenue).
"Saints fans from far and near will get a chance to see and thank the team for bringing unity and hope to the City during a time of recovery and rebuilding," said Mayor C. Ray Nagin. "We're excited to welcome them home after that historic win over our own Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. It is a truly exciting time for our citizens and we want to give them a celebration only New Orleanians can provide."
The Saints made history yesterday winning the first ever Super Bowl since the franchise inception, following a successful 13 -3 season becoming the NFC Champions. Once fans were sure the Saints would triumph over the Colts, the City of New Orleans erupted into celebration from the French Quarter to the Warehouse District cheering on the Super Bowl champions. The City expects to host more than 200,000 fans that will line the streets to see the victorious Saints players, owners and administration.
