Husky Bayou Weekend! Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler!

September 8th, 2012

This is a road trip Huskies have been waiting a long time for. Huskies and Tigers will mix it up on the Bayou in 2012. The Huskies and Tigers will mix it up on the Bayou in 2012. The Huskies are hoping to turn things around against the Tigers. LSU has emerged victorious in both outings against Washington, the latest being the 2009 home opener at Husky Stadium. Seeing a game at Tiger Stadium should be on everyone’s bucket list.

The Game is scheduled for September 8th, 2012. Our standard package is a three day-Thursday through Sunday event, though you are welcome and encouraged to stay longer to enjoy all that the Crescent City has to offer.

The total (estimated) package price will come down to approximately $930 per person for air transportation, accommodations, parties, tours, and ground transportation. The only variable is the cost of airfare, which is your first step in the reservation process. To get the best flight schedules, lowest airfare and the first choice of tour options, book early.

There are three components to this travel program.

1. Book Your air travel
2. Book your hotel
3. Book your Events Package
4. Book the Game Day Only Package

To get the lowest airfare and the best selection of optional tours, you should book early.

Game Tickets

Most Huskies know where they stand on the priority point system with UW Athletics. The 4,000-5,000 seats allocated by LSU to UW will be in high demand. I am not including game tickets for this game. I expect face value of these tickets to be in the $50-$75 range.

The UW Ticket Office is expected to send applications out to season ticket holders and Tyee members by the end of April. The completed applications are generally due back by the end of the month, with notifications made to applicants in early June. Each season ticket account can order up to 8 tickets.

Despite the demand, there are always options for purchasing seats to a game like this. Call your Tyee Friends now to see if they’re traveling. There is also Stubhub.com, which is a clearing house for buyers and sellers. Stubhub.com charges a premium, so you pay more than face value, but I would be surprised to see tickets for this game exceed $150 per seat. I am willing to confirm tickets for a guaranteed price of $120 for any tour participant who is staying a minimum of three nights at the group hotel (at the group rate) and purchasing the events package. The guarantee will stand through June 20th. These tickets may or may not be in the Husky section.

Game Day

Drive Time

The drive from the Big Easy to Baton Rouge is 82 miles, which makes for about 90 minutes on the coach from the hotel to the stadium. Traffic can be an issue, which can slow to a crawl before and after the game, creating drives closer to 3 hours each way. To eliminate that scenario, we are contracting with off-duty police to provide an escort with lights and sirens in both directions. Nothing cuts through traffic like a police motorcade. A similar service was used from the rail station in South Bend to campus with outstanding results.

Game Time

We won’t know start times until close to the event, but historically the early season games in Baton Rouge are played in the evening to avoid the hotter part of the day. We are no longer including a pre-game party as part of our program, though you still have that as an option through the UW Alumni Association. Package pricing has been reduced to reflect this change.

The Party will be held at a restaurant called Walk-On’s Bistreaux and Bar. You should contact the UWAA in June to secure your party tickets if you plan to attend their pre-game warm up. Here are some suggestions for you for your pre-game time in and around the LSU Campus:

UWAA Warm up

This party format includes recorded music with DJ, drinks and food for purchase. The UW Marching Band and Cheer Squad make an appearance about 90 minutes before kick-off. This event is held at Walk-On’s Bistreaux and Bar, located at 3838 Burbank Drive, just about .8 miles from Tiger Stadium. Seating is mostly outside in a tented area. If you have attended any UWAA warm up in the last 5 years, you know what to expect.

Tickets are available for purchase through UWAA, though probably not until June. Walk-up tickets have been a possibility in the past, but if the event sells out, you run the risk of not getting in. When tickets are available, contact information will be available at this site.

Walk-On's Bistreaux

The site of the UWAA warm up also has a restaurant and bar with indoor seating, serving a full menu for lunch or dinner. You may want to buy admission to the UWAA party for the camaraderie, but have lunch here, depending on the UWAA menu. Walk-On’s has a multitude of televisions showing games from across the country.

Tiger One Village

This party, hosted by Zatarains, is located on the north side of the stadium, next to the Maravich Center. Free admission, live music (bands announced in August), food and drink for purchase. You’ll find mostly Tiger Fans here or Husky Fans looking for more of an SEC Experience. The best equivalent at UW is The Zone, but with live music.

Mike VI Habitat

You probably won’t spend a great deal of time here, but it’s worth a few minutes to visit LSU’s live tiger mascot Mike VI. The habitat is adjacent to the Tiger One Village event area.

The Golden Band from Tigerland

The LSU Marching Band travels from Band Hall, NW of Tiger Stadium to the stadium about 2 hours prior to game time. They stop on Victory Hill just outside the stadium to perform to the crowds gathered there.

LSU Tailgating

I attended a game in Baton Rouge last November. Their tailgating puts most other schools to shame and reminded me of some Saturdays in Montlake before they paved over the better venues. Every square foot of grass is occupied by a keg, barbecue, or buffet. Channel your inner Cajun, make friends with a Tiger, and join one of these parties. Take advantage of some southern hospitality when it presents itself.

New Orleans

Beyond the football game and tour events planned for this group, there are a thousand more reasons to visit New Orleans. I’ve listed a few here:

Music

There are hundreds of live music venues scattered across the city. Bourbon Street, the Warehouse District, Algiers Point, and Royal Street are just a few places showcasing live music. From blues to jazz, you can find great music any night of the week. We’ll provide a list of venues and performers for the dates we’re in town.

National World War II museum.

Just a short streetcar ride from the hotel, this new facility demands more than just a few hours. The museum has an exceptional D-Day landing area.

Food and drink.

Gumbo, Jambalaya, Crawfish Etouffee, Muffellettas, and Red Beans & Rice are synonymous with New Orleans eats. If you haven’t had a freshly made beignet with your chicory coffee, you’re not living. Be absolutely certain to visit Café du Monde while you are in town for a beignet.

The Saints.

Fans staying over until Monday will have an opportunity (schedule pending) to see the Saints play in the Super Dome. Details for this option will be available in May or June 2012. Even if the Saints are on the road, being in the French Quarter is a festive experience on game day.

Concerts.

A full concert schedule will be published when they are made available, probably in the late spring of 2012. One venue of particular interest is the twilight concert series scheduled every Thursday evening through late October. The Mahalia Jackson Theater hosts a number of headline performers and live theater.

Try your luck.

OK, I know we have a lot of casinos in Washington, but Harrahs and a few other gambling establishments are just down the street from the hotel.

Bourbon Street.

It’s worth at least one stroll down this storied street, if for shock value if nothing else. Have a drink. Watch the people. If you plan to eat, don’t dally on Bourbon Street. You’ll find much better dining a block or two away.

Bring a camera!

Few cities in the US are as photogenic as The Big Easy. The colors, a wide range or architectural styles, and the people make for wonderful photo opportunities.

Updated: Tuesday, March 27, 2012