Marie Bell Data News Weekly Contributor
What started as a small festival for locals, has become one of the go-to festivals in the City of New Orleans.
The French Quarter Festival, presented by Chevron, is gearing up to be the largest free celebration of Louisiana’s music, food, and culture from April 11th to 14th, 2024. This year’s event promises an impressive lineup with over 270 performances across 21 stages, offering a vibrant showcase of Louisiana’s diverse musical heritage.
The French Quarter Festival in New Orleans is celebrated as the largest free showcase of Louisiana music, food, and culture. This year proves to be one of the best ever.
Festival Facts
French Quarter Festival was first produced in 1984 as a way to bring residents back to the Quarters; following the World’s Fair and extensive sidewalk repairs in the French Quarter.
More than 1,500 community volunteers help to make the festival a success.
French Quarter Festivals, Inc. is a private, non-profit 501c(3) organization.
Chief sources of funding are sponsorships, beverage and merchandise sales, vendor fees, and Annual Gala.
More than 20 stages throughout the French Quarter celebrate local music and represent every genre from traditional and contemporary jazz to R&B, New Orleans Funk, brass bands, folk, gospel, Latin, Zydeco, classical, cabaret, and international.
New Orleans great restaurants serve food and beverages in Jackson Square, the Jazz Museum at the Mint, JAX Brewery, and Woldenberg Riverfront Park during French Quarter Festival weekend.
Satchmo SummerFest hosts New Orleans restaurants with Louis Armstrong-inspired dishes and great local cuisine. Louisiana restaurants are invited to participate in these festivals.
French Quarter Festival has been consistently voted “favorite festival”, “favorite food festival”, and “favorite event open to the public” by locals.
Economic Impact
According to an analysis of the French Quarter Festival Visitors Survey conducted by The University of New Orleans (UNO) Hospitality Research Center, in 2019 French Quarter Festival generated a total economic impact of $190 million; the festival also generated nearly $15 million in tax revenue for state and local governments.
FQF employs more than 1,700 local musicians during Festival weekend
FQF hosts over 60 local restaurants which make up the culinary lineup at the Festival.
FQF employs only local companies during the Festival (sanitation, stages, sound, security, etc.). All money spent to produce the festival stays within the local economy.
Celebrating History and Heritage
These Festivals in New Orleans play a crucial role in celebrating and preserving the city’s rich cultural heritage, including its music, food, and diverse community traditions. These events, such as the French Quarter Festival not only draw visitors from around the globe, boosting the local economy, but also strengthen communal ties by providing spaces for local artists, musicians, chefs, and craftspeople to showcase their talents. They are essential in maintaining New Orleans’ unique identity and in promoting cultural exchange and understanding among its residents and guests.
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