Football players talk about the upcoming season to get the crowd excited for the upcoming season outside of La Carreta.  Fall sports coaches and athletes attended the event in order to promote their respective sports and spread the Lion Pride.The Lion’s Roar / Megan Ferrando

Lion fans and community members will have the opportunity to come together in downtown Hammond and kick off the semester and upcoming sports seasons with a pep rally. The Hammond Downtown District Development will host the 19th annual Hot August Night, which includes a pep rally with the student-athletes and coaches known as Lionpawlooza. 

The event is scheduled to take place on Friday, August 15 from 6 to 10 p.m. The festivities will be held in the heart of downtown Hammond on Thomas Street.

This highly-attended event will promote Southeastern’s Lions, local downtown businesses and property owners and the Hammond community as a whole. This year’s slogan is “a hot night in a cool town.” 

 “We’re trying to brand Hammond. We partner with other events and people. Our goal is survival-ship for businesses downtown,” said Terry Lynn Smith, executive director of the Hammond DDD. “One year, 10,000 people attended in a town with a population of 20,000.” 

This event will also offer fun activities for children. The Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center will be facilitating activities inside the Columbia Theatre. 

Many bands will be present that evening, providing music for attendees in various locations. DJ Hotwax will be stationed on Cate Street. River City Hit Squad will be playing at La Carreta while the Octavians will be performing at newer businesses. 

“All bars and restaurants will be open. Water and lemonade will be provided, and the spirits are downtown to partake. Everyone is invited to join the art stroll and participate in the activities, all put on by the merchants downtown,” said Smith. 

All people who are at least 21 years of age may participate in the wine stroll for $20 and go from store to store, meet and greet and sample wine. 

Participants of Hot August Night dress in Renaissance attire, displaying enthusiasm for the festivities.The Lion’s Roar / Megan Ferrando

The Hammond Chamber of Commerce will be throwing their annual Florida Parishes Bank’s Chillin’ with the Chamber, where the $10,000 raffle will take place, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the chamber office at 400 N.W. Railroad Avenue. Tickets are $5 each, and the winner for the grand prize, donated by George Ibert Jeweler, will be announced at 8 p.m. that night. 

There will also be a back-to-school kickoff and pep rally to join the community together and prepare for the 2014-15 sports season. 

“Originally we decided to host Lionpawlooza in place of a Fan Day on campus. We wanted to bring Lion Pride to downtown Hammond where there was already a huge gathering of people from across the region,” said Erin Cowser, executive director of Public and Governmental Affairs. “It has become a much looked forward to part of the downtown festivities. There are giveaways, the opportunity to meet and get autographs from our talented student athletes and, of course, photo opportunities with Roomie.”

In attendance this year will be Southeastern’s President John L. Crain, football coaches, the football team, cheerleaders and the marching band. 

“We hope everyone can come out and see our players, create some excitement for upcoming season, let our players interact with the community and let our players see the support they have in the community,” said football Head Coach Ron Roberts. “Our players have been working hard since January. We had a great spring practice and our players have been dedicated all summer. We expect to win the Southland Conference and compete for a National Championship annually.”

Including a pep rally, a wine stroll, an art stroll, live music, food and various activities, Smith notes there is something for everyone at Hot August Night. 

For additional information,  please visit dddhammond.com.

A Lion cheerleader spins the wheel for guests hoping to win a prize at least year’s Hot August Night event.The Lion’s Roar / Megan Ferrando

Cheerleaders show Lion spirit during the pep rally portion of the event.The Lion’s Roar / Megan Ferrando