As the city of New Orleans continues to recover after the devastating loss of the beloved Saints to the Los Angeles Rams, the Boycott Bowl dream has become a reality, and in protest of the Super Bowl, the city will host a block party and mini-festival.
The Boycott Bowl, a celebration of New Orleans culture and service industry, will be held on Feb. 3, from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. to benefit the city, its people and its Saints, rather than the NFL.
“The incredible amount of support we have received for Boycott Bowl is truly mind-blowing. This event is turning lemons into lemonade which we do here so well,” Walter “Kango Slim,” co-founder of the Boycott Bowl, said. “When the city of New Orleans decides to do something together there is nothing we cannot achieve.”
The party will stretch on Fulton Street from Girod to Lafayette, which will be blocked off in order to host not only the grieving city but also a lineup of talented performers. Those that have been confirmed to perform include Choppa (who will also host a “Choppa Style” dance contest), Shamarr Allen and The Underdawgs, Partners-N-Crime and The Big EZ Band, Kermit Ruffins, and many more.
Because of the quick turnaround until the party, Brandon Rizzuto, general manager of the New Orleans Voodoo and another co-founder of the Boycott Bowl, said that they will be booking bands, vendors and sponsors up until the event starts.
Another co-founder of the event, Travis Laurendine, says, “This is an emergency response event created to celebrate our team our way. In doing so we will showcase New Orleans and Louisiana culture, raise money to coach and equip future champions, and bring back money to our service economy on this major weekend.”
Additionally, the event is free, but donation based, and all of the Boycott Bowl proceeds will be donated to support the New Orleans Recreation Development, a nonprofit organization that “supports the overall mission of advancing the physical, mental and social well-being of New Orleanians by providing safe and welcoming environments for recreational, athletic and cultural experiences,” according to OffBeat Magazine.
The Boycott Bowl is an event responding to the infamous no-call on a pass-interference by referee Bill Vinovich that potentially cost the Saints a chance at the Super Bowl. The outcome of the game has resulted in more than one lawsuit, according to sources.
