NEW ORLEANS — The matchup between Southern University and Grambling State brings thousands of visitors to New Orleans' Superdome every Thanksgiving weekend. When the parade rolls through Downtown, you know the weekend is officially underway. Deborah Batiste attended Thursday's parade to support her grandson who was riding in Grambling's court.

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The Bayou Classic, a marquee event celebrating Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), returns to New Orleans for its 51st year, promising a weekend packed with football, culture, and tradition.

The Bayou Classic is not just a football game. It's a celebration of higher education. It's a family reunion. It's more than a half century of tradition.

The 51st Bayou Classic in New Orleans features the game between the Grambling State Tigers and the Southern University Jaguars, the Battle of the Bands, step-shows and more.

Bayou Classic is celebrating 51 years of a historical football rivalry between the Southern University Jaguars and the Grambling State Tigers.

The 51st Annual Bayou Classic – the nation’s largest HBCU football game between Grambling State University and Southern University – kicks off Saturday, Nov. 30, at 1 p.m., in the Caesars Superdome. The game combined with the Thanksgiving weekend of activities is projected to have an economic impact and boost for the city of New Orleans.

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 24: Members of the Grambling State "World Famed" Band performs at halftime during the Bayou Classic game in 2018. This year's Battle of the Bands will take place on Friday, Nov. 29, the day before the Saturday football game. (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images