The Red Carpet Bowl committee is ramping up community excitement for this year’s games.

President David Boolos addressed the Port City Kiwanis Club Thursday to discuss the history surrounding the event, which started in 1962, the intricacies that go along with putting it on, and the ways it benefits Warren County.

Since its inception, Boolos said the Red Carpet Bowl has handed out more than $300,000 in scholarship money. Each school in Warren County receives some.

“This year we’ll give 16 scholarships with an average of $750 for those scholarships. We’re real proud of what we do there,” Boolos said. “It takes a lot of effort, a lot of money, a lot of (committee members) give up a lot of time. It’s a big deal.”

The Red Carpet Bowl started in 1962 as a benefit game for Leo Puckett, a football player at Jett High School who was paralyzed after breaking his neck during a game. It began as an end-of-year bowl game for teams to cap their seasons, but eventually shifted to a preseason game in the early 1990s as the Mississippi High School Activities Association’s playoff system took hold.

This year’s Red Carpet Bowl is scheduled for Aug. 22 at Vicksburg High School’s Memorial Stadium, and will be a tripleheader for the first time since 1995.

Porters Chapel and Union Christian kick things off at 3:30 p.m., followed by Warren Central vs. Terry at 6. Vicksburg and McComb play the finale at 8:30, as new Gators coach Marcus Rogers makes his debut.

Tickets are on sale now for $12, and can be purchased from Just Duett Sports or Michele’s Records. Tickets are $15 at the gate.