New Orleans in Natchez: Fans celebrate anywhere

Published 12:17 am Tuesday, January 8, 2008

NATCHEZ — For many LSU fans in Natchez, watching the Tigers win their second national championship in five years on their couch at home was too boring.

So, Tiger fans joined each other in celebration in places all over the area.

One of the bigger gatherings took place at Bowie’s Tavern on Main Street in Natchez.

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“I didn’t want to watch the game at home,” self proclaimed “biggest LSU fan ever” Savannah Blackwell said as the final seconds ticked off the game clock. “I’ve been here since 6. Being around all these LSU fans just adds to the great experience.”

Blackwell said there’s no place she would have rather been — well, maybe one place.

“I would have loved to have gone to New Orleans for the game,” she said. “But if not in New Orleans, watching the game here is the next best place.”

And while she was basking in the glow of LSU’s national championship, she was already looking ahead to next season.

“I’ll be back here next year for sure,” she said.

While most fans came to the bar to watch the game in a festival atmosphere, at least a couple of people felt it was more peaceful at the bar.

“I couldn’t watch it at home because of my dad,” Chad Barnes said. “He just can’t handle LSU losing.”

Chad and his brother Alex were at home when the game began, but made their way to Bowie’s after Ohio State jumped out to a 10-0 lead.

“We had to get out of the house,” Alex said with a laugh.

While the gathering allowed LSU fans a great way to celebrate the championship together, it was a very lucrative night for Bowie’s.

Bowie’s server Hannah Denny, also a diehard LSU fans, said it was the most lucrative night of the year so far.

“This was better than even the New Year’s Eve countdown,” she said. “The fans here are rabid.”

Denny did step outside of her job for just a few seconds after the game was over. After a night of not being able to watch much of the game and celebrating with fans she was serving, she allowed herself a moment to enjoy the championship herself.

“Geaux Tigers!”