UofL Alumni events in New Orleans!

Monday, December 31st – New Year’s Eve

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
UofL Alumni Association Welcome Desk and Info Center
New Orleans Marriott Lobby
555 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Alumni and fans are encouraged to visit the desk to get the latest information on Cardinal events in New Orleans, get visitor info and find answers to questions. Each day the Alumni Association will give away a special Cardinal gift to all alumni and fans who visit the desk and drop a business card (while supplies last). Enter to win Raffle Prizes!

Noon – 8 p.m.
Allstate® Fan Fest
Decatur Street Lot
Don’t miss the excitement of the seventh annual Allstate® Fan Fest located in the Jax Brewery parking lots off Decatur Street in the French Quarter. This year’s Fan Fest will be a two-day event (Dec. 31 and Jan. 1). The event is completely FREE and will be highlighted by concerts by award-winning national-recording artists. For full details, visit www.allstatesugarbowl.org/site29.php

2 – 5 p.m.
Cardinal Central Happy Hour
New Orleans Marriott – 55 Fahrenheit
555 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Join UofL alumni, fans, and friends for a meet-and-greet at the 55 Fahrenheit wine bar and lounge as we celebrate the Cardinals’ second BCS bowl game in school history. Enjoy special Cardinal Cocktails, watch sporting events on the many televisions in the bar and mingle with friends. Cash bar. Event Hosted by the UofL Alumni Association. No RSVP necessary.

9 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
UofL Alumni Association New Year’s Eve Party
Tropical Isle at Bourbon & Orleans
721 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70116
The UofL Alumni Association is sponsoring a casual and fun NYE party at Tropical Isle Bourbon. Alumni and fans can meet in this common spot on Bourbon Street at any time on NYE to meet up with fellow Cardinals. No RSVP necessary.

Private Balcony Party at “Top of the Trop”
Tropical Isle at Bourbon & Orleans (second floor)
721 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70116
If you are seeking something a little more exclusive and want to have that unique balcony experience, register for our private party at “Top of the Trop” on the second floor of Tropical Isle Bourbon. Enjoy NYE on one of Bourbon Street’s largest wrap around balconies with a fabulous view of Bourbon Street, the St. Louis Cathedral and “Touchdown Jesus.” This party includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, beads, a special gift and a champagne toast at midnight from your Alumni Association – all in a club environment in the heart of Bourbon Street. Space is limited!

RSVP Required for the Private “Top of the Trop” Balcony Party
$60 per person
Age 21 and over only

Note: This event setting is a casual, club environment, which includes a small number of bistro style tables and will be mostly standing room. An RSVP does not guarantee you will have a seat or table.

NO REFUNDS

What you need to know about NYE in NOLA:
Jackson Square is a hub of activity for fun and excitement with live entertainment starting several hours before midnight and continuing until the Big Moment when a mystery over-sized object drops from Jax Brewery and officially signals the New Year. What will it be this year? The traditional “Baby Bacchus” from past years or the purple and gold “LSU Baby” from last year? Come join the NYE action and find out! Immediately following the baby drop is a spectacular, 15-minute fireworks display launched skyward from twin barges anchored in mid-river. This colorful, sonic-booming, pyrotechnic extravaganza is consistently ranked as one of the best in the nation.

After the music, festivities and fireworks, the party STILL isn’t over! That’s when the crowd moves over to Bourbon Street or elsewhere in the French Quarter, or to nearby Frenchmen Street for a night of celebrating. Find a lively bar (We suggest Tropical Isle Bourbon), a music club, or just celebrate in the street. The party can go on till the wee hours…or longer… You’ll find live music, exotic drink specialties, great food, and happy people celebrating in the streets wherever you choose to go in the French Quarter.

Tuesday, January 1st – New Year’s Day

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
UofL Alumni Association Welcome Desk and Info Center
New Orleans Marriott Lobby
555 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Alumni and fans are encouraged to visit the desk to get the latest information on Cardinal events in New Orleans, get visitor info and find answers to questions. Each day the Alumni Association will give away a special Cardinal gift to all alumni and fans who visit the desk and drop a business card (while supplies last). Enter to win Raffle Prizes!

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
UofL Alumni Association New Year’s Day Brunch River Cruise
Steamboat NATCHEZ
Toulouse St. Wharf behind Jax Brewery
Members of the UofL Alumni Association Board of Directors invite alumni, fans, and friends for a New Orleans style pre-game brunch and cruise up and down the mighty Mississippi River aboard the Steamboat NATCHEZ. Your two-hour cruise from the heart of the French Quarter takes you back when cotton was king and life was slow and graceful as the current on the Mississippi. Let us show you New Orleans, one of the world’s most active ports, as it can best be seen from the river aboard New Orleans’ only authentic steamboat…The Steamboat NATCHEZ. This private Cardinal steamboat cruise includes a gourmet menu of Etouffee, Gulf Shrimp, Prime Rib Carving Station, pastas, fruit, cheese, salad, bread pudding, soft drinks, beer, wine, bloody Marys, mimosas, and a live jazz band. There will be no better way to spend New Year’s Day. Space is limited.

RSVP Required for the Steamboat NATCHEZ River Cruise
UofL Rate: $65 per person all inclusive; $48 per person under 21
Boarding to begin at 11 a.m. at the Toulouse St. Wharf behind Jax Brewery
Cruising 11:30 a.m.* – 1:30 p.m.
*you must arrive on time for boarding. Cruise departs promptly at 11:30 a.m.

NO REFUNDS

Noon – 8 p.m.
Allstate® Fan Fest
Decatur Street Lot
Don’t miss the excitement of the seventh annual Allstate® Fan Fest located in the Jax Brewery parking lots off Decatur Street in the French Quarter. This year’s Fan Fest will be a two-day event (Dec. 31 and Jan. 1). The event is completely FREE and will be highlighted by concerts by award-winning national-recording artists. For full details, visit www.allstatesugarbowl.org/site29.php

2 – 5 p.m.
Cardinal Central Happy Hour
New Orleans Marriott – 55 Fahrenheit
555 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Join UofL alumni, fans, and friends for a meet-and-greet at the 55 Fahrenheit wine bar and lounge as we celebrate the Cardinals’ second BCS bowl game in school history. Enjoy special Cardinal Cocktails, watch sporting events on the many televisions in the bar and mingle with friends. Cash bar. Event Hosted by the UofL Alumni Association. No RSVP necessary.

8 p.m. – 11  p.m.
Official Fan Party
House of Blues
225 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Cardinal fans are invited to a fan party and pep rally, presented by University of Louisville President’s Office, University of Louisville Athletics, and Anthony Travel. Space is limited.

RSVP required for the Official Fan Party.
Full details can be found atwww.anthonytravel.com/louisville/cards-bowl/.

Wednesday, January 2nd – Sugar Bowl Game Day

9:30 a.m. – Noon
Sugar Bowl 2012 Service Project
The University of Louisville and the University of Florida, in collaboration with The Sankofa Community Development Corp., will host a cooperative community service project in New Orleans on Jan. 2, the morning of the Allstate Sugar Bowl.  Volunteers will work outdoors in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward to help build an urban garden.  Volunteers will shovel, plant and help clean up trash in the area.  This project allows volunteers to honor the land-grant mission of the two schools and make a difference.

RSVP Required for Service Project
Interested participants can also contact Glenn Gittings, Ph.D., Director Special Programs, at glenn.gittings@louisville.edu.

2 – 5 p.m.
Cardinal Headquarters Pre-Game Happy Hour
New Orleans Marriott – 55 Fahrenheit
555 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Join UofL alumni, fans, and friends for a meet-and-greet at the 55 Fahrenheit wine bar and lounge as we celebrate the Cardinals’ second BCS bowl game in school history. Enjoy special Cardinal Cocktails, watch sporting events on the many televisions in the bar and mingle with friends. Cash bar. Event Hosted by the UofL Alumni Association. No RSVP necessary

5 p.m. (approx.)
Football Team Send-off at New Orleans Marriott
New Orleans Marriott – 55 Fahrenheit
555 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Greet the Cardinal Football Team and cheer them on as they depart for the stadium to prepare for battle.

5 – 7 p.m.
Cardinal Men’s Basketball vs. Providence Game Watch
New Orleans Marriott – 55 Fahrenheit
555 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

4 – 7:30 p.m.
Allstate® Sugar Bowl Fan Jam
Mercedes-Benz Superdome (Champions Square)
Get to the Dome early for a first-rate tailgate party to be held at Champions Square. The party begins three hours before kickoff and lasts until the game begins. Fan Jam features food, interactive games and entertainment, including special appearances by both schools’ bands and cheerleading squads. Free for fans of all ages.. No RSVP necessary.
www.allstatesugarbowl.org/site30.php

7:30 p.m.
79th Allstate® Sugar Bowl Football Classic
Mercedes-Benz Superdome
The 79th Annual Allstate® Sugar Bowl Football Classic will feature the University of Florida, from the Southeastern Conference, against the University of Louisville, from the Big East Conference, on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. and will be televised by ESPN. This year will mark the 27th time the Sugar Bowl has featured two 10-win teams.

BEAT FLORIDA!