Independence Bowl 50th Anniversary Kickoff Party Set for May 7

SHREVEPORT, La. (April 21, 2026) – Indy Bowl Overtime, hosted for the first time by the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in 2025, will be even bigger in 2026, serving as the official Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl 50th Anniversary Kickoff Party.

The event is set for Thursday, May 7 at Community Bank of Louisiana, located at 3000 Fairfield Ave, Shreveport, LA 71104. The 50th Anniversary Kickoff press conference will begin at 4:30 p.m. with the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl announcing plans to celebrate the bowl’s 50th anniversary throughout 2026, culminating with the game in December.

Following the press conference, the event will roll into the 2nd annual Indy Bowl Overtime after-hours networking event from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The Lovers, a Shreveport-based Indie-Americana pop duo featuring Cole Vosbury and Amanda June, will perform from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Food will be available for the first 150 people, as well as Eagle Distributing and Coca-Cola Bottling Co. products available throughout the event.

If you have any questions about the 50th Anniversary Kickoff Press Conference, contact Independence Bowl Director of Communications Erik Evenson at [email protected].

For more information about Indy Bowl Overtime, contact Independence Bowl Director of Partnership Development Matt Shanklin at [email protected].

The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl’s 50th Anniversary celebration is presented by Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Shreveport, Community Bank of Louisiana, Mike & Judy McCarthy, Wilhite Electric and Willis Knighton Health.

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl fans can visit OpportunityLouisiana.gov to explore why Louisiana businesses are positioned to win. 

ABOUT THE RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL™

Established in 1976, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ is college football’s 11th most historic bowl game, with the 50th anniversary set for 2026. Radiance Technologies is the bowl’s title sponsor through at least the 2027 Bowl Season. 

The Independence Bowl Foundation is a prominent presence in the Shreveport-Bossier City area throughout the year, hosting events to enhance the economic impact and growth of our community. The Mission of the Independence Bowl is to attract and provide quality, nationally recognized football competition oriented to the Ark-La-Tex region. For more information, visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com or follow the bowl on Facebook, X and Instagram at @IndyBowl.