As we mentioned in our first post, Jazz Fest is descending upon New Orleans in the next few weeks and we couldn’t be more excited. Here at Crescent City Law we want to ensure that you have everything you need to know in order to attend Jazz Fest this year! In our previous post we covered how and where to buy your Jazz Fest tickets, how to get to Jazz Fest and general information about where and when it will take place. Now, we’d like to cover what you can expect once you safely arrive at Jazz Fest!
Who is Performing at Jazz Fest in 2016?
This year will bring in some of the biggest names in the international music community but you might feel like it’s 1995 when I tell you some of these performers.
Stevie Wonder, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Neil Young, Snoop Dogg, Paul Simon, Steely Dan, Beck, Van Morrison, Nick Jonas, Elvis Costello & the Imposters, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Bonnie Raitt, Flo Rida, Janelle Monae, Jonny Lang, Herbie Hancock and so the list goes on and on!
You can always count on some of New Orleans’ best local musicians to perform on the Jazz Fest stages as well. We’re so lucky to have such great talent reign from our area. Go see Trombone Shorty, Galactic, Dumpstaphunk, Aaron Neville, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Dr. John & the Nite Trippers, Kermit Ruffins and so many more!
Click here for the full schedule and make sure to get your tickets in advance. It is possible for Jazz Fest to sell out at the gate on popular days.
The Food & Heritage to New Orleans Jazz Fest
In addition to the unbelievable music, many attendees to Jazz Fest go because of the food and the arts as well. “Jazz Fest Food” as so many people like to refer to it as, is mostly true New Orleans food, with some amazing and delicious treats here and there.
This year there will be most of your favorites, but a Bacon Pecan Square from Marie’s Sugar Dumplings has been added as well as a Fresh Strawberry & Yogurt Trifle by Fireman Mike’s Kitchen. In addition to those two items, you can expect your favorites:
Strawberry Lemonade from Café Reconcile
Crawfish Bread & Shrimp Bread from Panorama Foods
Fresh Squeezed Lemonade from Joyce’s Lemonade
Hot Sausage Po-Boy from Vaucresson’s Sausage Co.
Boiled Crawfish from Smitty’s Seafood Restaurant
BBQ Brisket Sandwich from Squeal’s Smoke Street Catering
Red Beans & Rice with Sausage from Burks & Douglas
Shrimp & Grits from Fireman Mike’s Kitchen
Cochon de Lait Po Boy from Love at First Bite
Crawfish Beignets from Patton’s Caterers
Ya Ka Mein from Ms Linda’s Catering
Herbal Iced Tea’s from Sunshine Concessions
Frozen Café Au Lait’s from New Orleans Coffee Company
Meat, Crawfish & Broccoli & Cheese Pies from Mrs Wheat’s Foods
Grilled Chicken Livers Place from the Praline Connection
Cracklin’s & Fried Sweet Potato Chips from Fatty’s Cracklins
Crawfish Monica from Big River Foods
Freshly Shucked Oysters on the Half Shell from J&M Seafood
That’s just a few. You’re bound to find something at Jazz Fest that you love to satisfy every taste bud of yours!
While you’re taking a break from the music and eating your delicious Jazz Fest delicacies, wander over to some of the art and artisan tents such as the Congo Square African Marketplace, Contemporary Crafts or Louisiana Marketplace. Here you’ll find artists from all over Louisiana to all over the world. Click here to read more about the Jazz Fest artists this year.
What Should I Bring to Jazz Fest?
If you’ve ever been to Jazz Fest before, you know that there are some necessities that you don’t want to leave at home (and there are things you definitely want to leave at home.) The first thing you should do is check the weather! Because the weather is completely fickle around this time of year, you should prepare for rain or shine, hot or windy. This means that you should bring:
- sunglasses
- hat
- sunscreen
- poncho
- rain boots or shrimp boots (bring these even if it’s sunny but has been raining because the grounds can stay muddy for a little while after the rain stops!)
- umbrella unless it calls for extreme winds – then it will be little help
- up to 1 liter of water in a sealed water bottle – take advantage of this opportunity and do it! (tip: if you want it to stay cold all day, put it in the freezer the night before Jazz Fest and bring it as ice in the morning. It’ll melt quickly enough for you to drink)
Just remember, if you forget any of these, most of the Jazz Fest General Stores will sell them to you (maybe not shrimp boots), but you will pay a premium.
What Should I Leave at Home from Jazz Fest?
Although you might plan to spend 8+ hours at Jazz Fest each day, you cannot make it your home. There are definitely some things you can bring to make your day more comfortable, but there are some others that you must leave at home!
Feel free to bring a small bag or backpack that is no bigger than 17″x12″x10″ or a 12-pack soft cooler, factory-sealed bottle of water for personal use, single, collapsible chair for yourself, push strollers for children, handheld umbrellas, and blankets or tarps that are no larger than 6’x8’.
LEAVE the following items at home: hard-sided coolers or soft coolers that hold more than a 12 pack, wagons or pull-carts, pets, glass, metal poles, outside beverages aside from the water, personal tents or shade canopies, beach style umbrellas, drones, inflatable’s, promotional items, hula hoops, Frisbees, footballs, kites, bicycles (there is bike parking outside the Fair Grounds), large chairs with foot rests or side tables, skateboards, hover-boards, video or audio recording equipment, weapons, illicit drugs and tarps larger than 6’x8’.
Being Safe at Jazz Fest and Around New Orleans
New Orleans is jam packed with people around Jazz Fest, so it’s important that you maintain safety by following some guidelines. You’ll want to stay in groups if you are unfamiliar with the city, and never go anywhere with a stranger, ever.
Always have a designated driver or find a different mode of transportation. You don’t want to put yourself at risk of a DWI or put yourself or anyone else at harm’s risk. Listen to law enforcement and security, and obey the rules. If you or someone you know is arrested or cited for public intoxication, public urination, lewd conduct, drug possession, or you are arrested for a DWI, the first thing you should do is call a successful New Orleans criminal defense lawyer, Crescent City Law. Call us at (504) 264-9492 or e-mail us, Tweet or Facebook message us – we are available to take your call nights, weekends and we’ll meet you off-site or us. Don’t let a few bad decisions ruin your experienced at Jazz Fest. Happy Festing!
