The 84th Miss Dillard, Brianna Thomas, with the 14th Mr. Dillard, Todd Welch Jr. at the 2019 homecoming parade. Photo: Sabree Hill/Dillard University.
Contact: Eddie Francis, efrancis@dillard.edu
Homecoming game versus crosstown rival Xavier to precede parade
NEW ORLEANS—Dillard University's homecoming parade will return to the Gentilly neighborhood for the first time since 2019 at 9 a.m. on November 13. The route will take students, alumni, faculty, staff and guests from the intersection of Gentilly Boulevard and St. Anthony Avenue to Elysian Fields Avenue to Filmore Avenue to St. Anthony Avenue to Norman Mayer Avenue and back to Gentilly Boulevard where the parade will disband on Dillard's campus.
The parade's grand marshal will be the 84th Miss Dillard and Destrehan High School alumna Brianna Thomas. A 2020 graduate of Dillard, Thomas is a featured designer in New Orleans Fashion Week. Since the parade took a one-year hiatus, the 85th Miss Dillard, Kaylan Tanner, and the 15th Mr. Dillard, Justin Matthews, will also participate in the procession.
To start warming the community up for the return of the carnival season, St. Augustine High School's "Marching 100" will also participate in the parade.
The night before the parade, the Lady Bleu Devils and Bleu Devils will be looking for revenge against crosstown rivals, the Xavier Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush, for the homecoming basketball doubleheader at the Lakefront Arena. The Gold Nuggets defeated the Lady Bleu Devils 66-51 and the Gold Rush defeated the Bleu Devils 73-50 Saturday night. The Lady Bleu Devils will tip off at 5:30 p.m. and the Bleu Devils will tip off at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, visit the Dillard athletics website.
Dillard University is a historically Black institution that cultivates leaders who live ethically, think and communicate precisely, and act courageously to make the world a better place. Located in New Orleans, Dillard is a private faith-based liberal arts university that offers 22 majors. Founded in 1869, Dillard is Louisiana's oldest HBCU. Find out more by visiting www.dillard.edu.