Holiday Inn Superdome gets its name for its proximity to the Caesars Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints.
New Orleans is one of the major destinations for football, not only because of its home team, the Saints, but also because the city recently hosted Super Bowl XLVII in 2013 (making the event the tenth time the Super Bowl has been hosted in New Orleans!). Recent renovations to the Dome allowed more than 76,000 fans to witness the game.
Though the Superdome is mostly thought of as a venue for professional football, the facility is used for a wide variety of entertainment events throughout the year.
College football teams use the facility for several important games. Each year, the Bayou Classic, pitting Southern University against Grambling University, and the Sugar Bowl, between newly named contestants each year, pack the Dome.
The major events do not stop at sports. Monster truck rallies, concerts, youth conferences, political rallies and much more keep the Superdome busy throughout the year.
The Essence Music Festival
On the weekend before July 4th, the Superdome hosts the Essence Music Festival: the premier event for African-American music and culture. Essence Fest draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to New Orleans annually, along with some of the top names in hip-hop and R&B music.
The Superdome's Storied History
The Caesars Superdome has a special place in the memories of New Orleans residents. The Superdome provided a refuge for those who lost their homes during Hurricane Katrina. Thousands of locals made the field where the Saints played their home for a short time.
When the storm subsided and the city began to be rebuild, the return of the Saints to the Superdome was an emotionally charged event. The Saints have been back in the Superdome since 2006.
