Rally on the Red Headlines Bowl Week Public Events Lineup

SHREVEPORT, La. (Sept. 30, 2025) – Bowl Week in Shreveport-Bossier City means more than just the bowl game – it is a celebration of college football in the community, and the annual Rally on the Red, presented by Live! Casino & Hotel and Heard, McElroy & Vestal, will headline the week of free public events leading into the big game.

Leading into the 49th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on Tuesday, December 30 at 1 p.m. CST, the Independence Bowl Foundation will host a variety of free public events for fans of all ages to enjoy. These events include the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Breakfast, Rally on the Red and Coca-Cola Fan Fest.

FCA Breakfast

Saturday, December 27 at 7:30 a.m. at the Shreveport Convention Center

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes Breakfast is presented annually for the participating teams and their coaching and administrative staff. Hosted by the NWLA FCA Chapter, this event annually hosts hundreds guests, providing breakfast and featured speakers who give their testimonies. This event is a great way to celebrate faith during the Christmas season.

Rally on the Red, presented by Live! Casino & Hotel and Heard, McElroy & Vestal

Monday, December 29 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Louisiana Boardwalk and East Bank District

The Rally on the Red, presented by Heard, McElroy & Vestal and Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana, aims to get local and traveling Independence Bowl fans ready for game day with four free events for fans of all ages the night before the game. The Mardi Gras Preview Parade will begin the night at 6:30 p.m. – flowing through the Louisiana Boardwalk and East Bank District. Following the parade’s conclusion, the two school marching bands will play in a Battle of the Bands at 7:15 p.m. in the East Bank District Plaza. After the two bands duke it out, a fireworks show at 7:45 p.m. will lead into the headliner of the night at 8 p.m. – a free Parish County Line concert in Hurricane Alley in the East Bank District in Bossier City.

Coca-Cola Fan Fest

Tuesday, December 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Silver Lot outside Independence Stadium

The fun will start early on game day, Tuesday, December 30, with Coca-Cola Fan Fest from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Silver Lot outside Independence Stadium. Coca-Cola Fan Fest has entertainment for all ages – featuring music, cornhole, a Kids’ Zone and inflatables, face painting, local food trucks, drinks, and more. More details on the musical acts will be announced at a later date.

The Bowl Week events will lead into the 49th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, which kicks off on Tuesday, December 30 at 1 p.m. CST between the Big 12 Conference and Conference USA. Tickets start at $20 and are on sale now at RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/Tickets. There is a variety of ticket packages available – including individual tickets, group tickets, Pizza Hut Family 4-Packs, Small Business Fan Packs and more. For ticketing questions, fans can email info@independencebowl.org or call the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl office at (318) 221-0712.

For information on Independence Stadium rules and the clear bag policy, please visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/stadium-rules.  

ABOUT THE RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL™

Established in 1976, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ is college football’s 11th most historic bowl game. The 49th edition will kick off on Tuesday, December 30 at 1 p.m. CST on ESPN. Radiance Technologies is the bowl’s title sponsor through at least the 2027 Bowl Season. The bowl’s conference and television agreements also run through the 2025 bowl game. 

The Independence Bowl Foundation is prevalent in the Shreveport-Bossier City area throughout the year, hosting events to help 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.

Rally on the Red Headlines 2024 Bowl Week Event Schedule

SHREVEPORT, La. (Oct. 23, 2024) – The 2024 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl is right around the corner, which means the family events and entertainment that fill Bowl Week are quickly approaching. 

With the 48th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on Saturday, December 28 at 8:15 p.m., Bowl Week kicks off on Thursday, December 26. Bowl Week will feature fun events for local and traveling fans of all ages – providing good times for all. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Breakfast will kick off the event schedule on Thursday morning, December 26. The headline event of Bowl Week is the Rally on the Red, brought to you by Cardinaux Wealth Advisors and Heard, McElroy & Vestal, on Friday night, December 27. The Bowl Week events schedule will conclude on game day, Saturday, December 28, with Coca-Cola Fan Fest leading fans into the big game.

Detailed information on all of the 2024 Bowl Week events is listed below:

FCA Breakfast

• Thursday, December 26 at 7:30 a.m. – Riverview Hall
• $10 – Tickets at RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/Fan-Events/

The FCA Breakfast is presented annually for the participating teams, their coaches, and administration. Hosted by the NWLA FCA Chapter, this event annually hosts hundreds of guests, offering breakfast and featured speakers who give their testimonies. 

Rally on the Red, brought to you by Cardinaux Wealth Advisors and Heard, McElroy & Vestal

• Friday, December 27 from 6:30-10 p.m. – Louisiana Boardwalk & East Bank District
• Free

The Rally on the Red, brought to you by Cardinaux Wealth Advisors and Heard, McElroy & Vestal, gets local and traveling Independence Bowl fans ready for game day with four free events for fans of all ages on Friday, December 27. Information on the four events that compile Rally on the Red are listed below.

Mardi Gras Preview Parade

• Friday, December 27 from 6:30-7:15 p.m. – Louisiana Boardwalk & East Bank District
• Free

The Mardi Gras Preview Parade kicks off the Rally on the Red. The parade features floats from a variety of local Mardi Gras Krewes and the two university bands and spirit squads. The parade begins in the Louisiana Boardwalk and flows through the Boardwalk and the East Bank District, ending at the East Bank Plaza.

Battle of the Bands

• Friday, December 27 from 7:15-7:45 p.m. –East Bank District Plaza
• Free

Right after the Mardi Gras Preview Parade, the two university marching bands and spirit squads face off in a Battle of the Bands in the East Bank District Plaza, surrounded by local and traveling fans.

Fireworks Show

• Friday, December 27 at 7:45 p.m. – East Bank District
• Free

Following the Battle of the Bands, there will be a fireworks show right behind Hurricane Alley in the East Bank District. The show will be visible all throughout the East Bank District.

Free Concert – The Spazmatics

• Friday, December 27 from 8-10 p.m. – Hurricane Alley in the East Bank District
• Free

Culminating the Rally on the Red, presented by Cardinaux Wealth Advisors and Heard, McElroy & Vestal, will be a free concert in Hurricane Alley in the East Bank District by The Spazmatics – internationally renowned as the ultimate 80’s new wave tribute.

Coca-Cola Fan Fest

• Saturday, December 28 from 3:30-7:30 PM – Silver Lot on the North Side of Independence Stadium
• Free

The fun starts early on game day, Saturday, December 28, with Coca-Cola Fan Fest from 3:30 to 7:30 PM outside the stadium in the Silver Lot. Coca-Cola Fan Fest will have entertainment for all ages – featuring live music from the Leif Meche Band and DJ Hotboy Yoshi playing fans’ favorite hits. There will also be cornhole, a Kids’ Zone – including inflatables and face painting, local food trucks, drinks, and an appearance from Santa Claus. 

The 48th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl kicks off on Saturday, December 28 at 8:15 p.m. CST between the American Athletic Conference and a current or former Pac-12 Conference team. Tickets start at $20 and are on sale now at RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/Tickets/. There is a bevy of ticket packages available – including individual tickets, group tickets, Pizza Hut Family 4-Packs, Small Business Fan Packs, premium options and more. For ticketing questions, fans can email info@independencebowl.org or call the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl office at (318) 221-0712.

For information on Independence Stadium rules and the clear bag policy, please visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/stadium-rules/. Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl fans can visit OpportunityLouisiana.com 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, and the 48th edition of the game is set for Saturday, December 28 at 8:15 p.m. CT on ESPN. The American Athletic Conference will match up against a current or former Pac-12 Conference team in the 2024 edition. Huntsville, Ala.-based Radiance Technologies is the bowl’s title sponsor through the 2025 Bowl Season. The bowl’s conference, team, and television agreements also run through the 2025 season. 

The Independence Bowl Foundation is prevalent in the Shreveport-Bossier City area throughout the year, hosting events to help 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.