Convention news: banquet entertainment, Exhibit Hall hours and more

The American Legion National Commander’s Banquet will be held Tuesday, Aug. 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Tickets are $65 each in rounds of eight, and must be purchased through attendees’ department headquarters.

Entertainment will be provided by the Bayou Royals, “some of the finest and funkiest talent, coupled with ‘80s flair, you’ll ever hear on or off Frenchmen Street,” according to the group’s website. Performers can be seen on stage at the city’s biggest festivals, local clubs and street parades, and the group pivots from brass-band sounds to acoustic jazz and beyond.

Exhibit Hall hours announced. The Exhibit Hall and Emblem Sales store will be located in Center, Hall E, 1st Floor of the convention center, from Friday, Aug. 23 – Tuesday, Aug. 27 during the following hours:

8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 23-24 and Aug. 26
8 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Aug. 25 and Aug. 27

Color guard applications due July 26. Applications for the five classes of the National Color Guard Contest are due to National Headquarters no later than July 26. The contest will be held at the convention center on Friday, Aug. 23, at 4 p.m. Go to legion.org/convention/contests for information and applications. 

Mobility options. Scootaround and Mobility City are the companies for scooter/wheelchair rental during the convention. They offer scooters, power chairs, wheelchairs and walking aids, and can be contacted via legion.org/convention/resources. Equipment can be delivered to hotels.