NATCHITOCHES – Floating down the Cane River means summer has arrived in Natchitoches.
 
Seeing a plethora of Northwestern State athletic department staffers doing so means football season nearly is here.
 
Starting at 3 p.m. Friday, Demons staffers will continue their summer tradition of delivering yard signs announcing the 2018 home football opener against Grambling.
 
The white signs emblazoned with "Purple Reign" will be distributed to season-ticket holders' homes along the Cane River.
 
Boat captains for the 2018 Cane River Tour are Demons Unlimited Foundation members Ron McBride, Pat Horton and Glenn and Julie Sers. Additionally, first-year head football coach Brad Laird will join the NSU navy in delivering the signs.
 
"This has become a yearly tradition that allows us to interact with Demons athletics supporters and stands as the start of our countdown to kickoff of football season," NSU Associate Director of Athletics for External Affairs Dr. Haley Taitano said. "We always look forward to seeing the rabid Demons fans along scenic Cane River."
 
The river tour will launch from Point Place Marina at 3 p.m.
 
Homeowners who find a sign in their yards are encouraged to post a picture of the sign on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #PurpleReign. The best photo will earn its ticket holder the honor of being the Season Ticket Holder of the Game for the opener against Grambling and will be featured on the videoboard in the north end zone of Turpin Stadium. The winner also will receive two sideline passes for the season opener.
 
Fans and supporters can find NSU Athletics at facebook.com/nsudemons and can follow the Demons on Twitter (@NSUDemons).
 
To purchase NSU football season tickets, visit www.NSUTickets.com or call 318-357-4268. The Demons will play five home games this season – Sept. 8 vs. Grambling; Oct. 6 vs. Nicholls; Oct. 13 vs. Sam Houston State; Oct. 27 vs. Houston Baptist and Nov. 10 vs. McNeese.
 
All five home games are scheduled for 6 p.m. kickoffs.
 
The season kicks off with a Thursday-night matchup at Texas A&M on Aug. 30.