“We’ve got to show the people we’re not stopping. We are going to move on,” he said. “Even this evil stuff that came against us is not going to stop us.”Sugar Bowl

Mr Miller described the city as one where people come to “celebrate” and described it as “our culture”.

Jefferson County Sheriff Joseph Lopinto told reporters Thursday the college football match would be secure for fans who have come to the city.

“It’s probably going to be one of the safest places in the country,” Mr Lopinto said. “If my kid wanted to come to the game, I’d have no problem.”

As the sun set over Bourbon Street on Thursday, many locals said they were confident that the vibrant area would bounce back quickly after the attack.

Among them was Darnell Simmons, a 23-year-old member of a brass band playing at the Bourbon House Oyster bar.

“A terrible thing happened here,” he said. “But we’re back, we’re here to remember those we lost.”

The bar’s owner, Dickie Brennan, said he felt “incredibly emotional” to hear music return to Bourbon Street.

“We overcame Katrina. God knows how many hurricanes, oil spills, crime,” he added, referring to the 2005 hurricane that left more than 1,300 dead. “One guy will not stop this beautiful city and special neighbourhood.”

“This city is resilient. We have to be.”

Just after 3:00 local time on 1 January officials say 42-year-old army veteran, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, killed 14 people and wounded dozens more when he drove a pick-up truck into crowds for the New Years holiday.

Before Jabbar was killed in a shoot-out with police during the attack, he had proclaimed his allegiance to the Islamic State group in videos uploaded to social media, according to the FBI.

The Sugar Bowl is watched by millions of Americans every year, traditionally on New Year’s Day.

The game, along with the Los Angeles Rose Bowl, is a big tourist draw for the city.

The Sugar Bowl dates back to 1935, playing host to many of the best coaches, players and teams in college football history.

The Super Bowl, America’s biggest sporting event, is scheduled for 9 February at the same New Orleans venue as the Sugar Bowl.

Additional reporting from the BBC’s Anna Adams.