New Orleans, La. - The Super Bowl XLVII host committee says it's ready to shine a light on New Orleans.
Wednesday, the committee unveiled plans they think are their most ambitious to date. Super Bowl host committee members say last year's game in Indianapolis won't compare to what's about to happen in New Orleans for Super Bowl XLVII.
"We just think that the fans really come to the city like no other city, and enjoy the city in a way that they can't do anywhere else," said Mark Romig, CEO of the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corp.
"We're really excited about it, we're very well organized. All of the host committees, the sponsors, all of the sub-committees have been working. It's going to take over 13,000 volunteers. We feel really great about where we are," said Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
Now, just four months away, the host committee wants to make the entire city part of the Super Bowl experience.
The whole downtown footprint will be transformed. The New Orleans arena will turn into an NFL tailgate headquarters. Woldenberg Park will become Super Bowl Boulevard. For four days, there will be live broadcasts by the NFL Network and a complete line-up of local music and food.
"The entire river, from the French Quarter all the way past the Morial Convention Center, is going to be taken up by national events that are either hosted by the NFL or hosted by major corporations," said Landrieu.
The mayor says this will be another opportunity for media around the world to tell the story of the resurrection, redemption and comeback for New Orleans.
The city is partnering with the NFL to redo five NORD playgrounds on the Saturday before the game. Harrell Stadium on Claiborne Avenue in Hollygrove is getting the turf from the Super Bowl game.
The host committee says hosting a Super Bowl is a lot more than a football game.
"Everyone is really excited about coming back to New Orleans. Things have changed in 11 years. It's quite more difficult to host it, a lot going on, but we've got a great advantage we've always had. We've got a walking Super Bowl and that's a real plus, that's what everybody loves," said Saints Hall of Famer Archie Manning.
"We have great restaurants, we have over 1,000 restaurants available, we have 22,000 hotel rooms within a mile of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome," said Romig.
It's an opportunity to make a memorable impact for fans.
The Super Bowl will take place in between the two weekends of Mardi Gras.
Visit the link below for more info on Super Bowl XLVII, and how you can volunteer:
www.neworleans-superbowl.com
