A two-week celebration of food football and fun

New Orleans — The Associated Press is reporting; the committee that hosts the Sugar Bowl has announced plans with oil giant BP for a two-week promotion of Gulf Coast seafood and culture.

The Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash is billed by the Allstate Sugar Bowl Committee as a two-week celebration being held as New Orleans hosts the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 3 and the BCS championship on Jan. 9.

The events bring thousands of visitors to the area and draw millions of television viewers. The promotion comes as the Gulf seafood industry continues efforts to rebound from the 2010 BP oil spill.

State and federal officials have declared Gulf seafood safe to eat but industry leaders have said repeatedly that they are fighting to overcome negative perceptions since the spill.