On Friday, Sept. 1, businesses around Acadiana went Ragin' Cajun red for UL Lafayette.
The day was designated Wear Red Day in celebration of the many contributions the University of Louisiana at Lafayette makes to the community. A friendly competition among businesses for the most employees wearing red resulted in four overall winners:
Small business category: Regent Broadcasting, Inc.
Mid-size business category: Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Department
Large business category: The Schumacher Group
Wear Red Spirit Award: Innovative Intelligent Design, Inc.
“ We had a great show of support on Wear Red Day with over 50 businesses sending in digital photos throughout the following week. We even had a 1969 nursing graduate from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, submit a photo of herself wearing red to work that day. The response by our community was outstanding,” said Cheryl Hidalgo, assistant director of trademark licensing at the university.
A special presentation will be made to the winners at half-time of Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns first home football game this Saturday. The Ragin' Cajuns take on North Carolina A&T during the 6th annual Herbert Heymann Classic at 4 p.m. at Cajun Field. Photographs submitted by businesses will be displayed on the scoreboard during home games this season.
Businesses were invited to contend for bragging rights for the most employees wearing red on Sept. 1. Participants were asked to submit digital photographs by Sept. 8.
Wear Red Day was held in conjunction with College Colors Day, a national celebration of the traditions, contributions and achievements of universities everywhere.