The What, Where, Who and How of Jazz Fest in New Orleans | Criminal Lawyer in New Orleans
Criminal Lawyer in New Orleans & New Orleans Jazz Fest | As we wrote in our last blog, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is coming to New Orleans again from April 28 – May 7th this year. Thousands of people will ascend to the Big Easy, in addition to the thousands who will gear up and head out to the Fair Grounds Race Course in the Mid-City neighborhood of New Orleans. People come out to hear some of the biggest musical acts in the world alongside eating some of the best foods and browsing the most exquisite and unique art.
How to Buy Tickets to Jazz Fest | Criminal Lawyer New Orleans
Jazz Fest makes it easy to purchase tickets, in addition to offering many types of ticket packages. When you buy a single ticket, you must choose which weekend you want to purchase for, but then the ticket is good once for any of the days that weekend. So, for example, if you buy a ticket for Weekend 2, you can use that ticket once on either May 4, 5, 6 or 7th. Once you use a ticket, it is invalid. This is a great opportunity to make a last-minute decision to see some of your favorite musical artists.
You can purchase your single General Admission tickets online through Ticketmaster.com, through Ticketmaster Charge by Phone, at the Smoothie King Center box office, or Ticketmaster Outlets around the country. Adult tickets are $75 until the day before the weekend you are purchasing for, plus fees, and $80 at the gate or on the first day of each weekend. Children age 2-10 are $5 and children under 2 are free of charge.
In addition to General Admission tickets, several ticket packages are available with VIP seating. These include:
• Big Chief VIP Experience
• Grand Marshal VIP Pass
• Krewe of Jazz Fest VIP Pass
• And WWOZ always offers a VIP Brass Pass for a donation
Where is Jazz Fest & How Do I Get There? | DUI Attorney & Criminal Lawyer in New Orleans
Jazz Fest is located at the Fair Grounds Race Course at 1751 Gentilly Boulevard. It is accessible by foot, bike, Shuttle, car, Street Car, taxi, Uber, and RTA bus
If you have the time, and it is a beautiful day, walking to Jazz Fest can be one of the joys of attending. Be wary of your surroundings and don’t carry too much, or bring a stroller.
Driving to Jazz Fest is not advised although we understand it might be your only option. If you plan to drink, then it should not be an option for you. In addition to the fact that you could be pulled over and arrested for a DWI or DUI, you could hurt or kill yourself or someone else. There is a parking lot, but is mostly reserved for pre-paid parking passes through the ticket packages. You can also park on the streets of New Orleans, but make sure not to park illegally, such as parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, 20 feet of intersections, crosswalks or stop signs, parking against the flow of traffic, parking within 3 feet of a driveway on either side or any of these other parking violations.
You can take the Street Car to Jazz Fest! Whether you’re coming from Uptown, Downtown (Canal Street), the Marigny or the Warehouse District, you must find your way to the Canal Street Street-Car line and take it to the Museum line. It will drop you off four blocks from the Fair Grounds.
The RTA operates a few buses which will take you close to the gates of the Fair Grounds, including: Bus Line 32-Leonidas, Bus Line 90-Carrolton, Bus Line 91-Jackson/Esplanade, and Bus Line-94 Broad.
Cyclists are encouraged to park their bikes at the main Gentilly pedestrian entrance at the intersection of Gentilly Boulevard and Sauvage Street. Bikes are not allowed inside the Festival grounds. The Bicycle Parking areas are staffed by security, so if you need to leave your bike overnight, you can safely. You must bring your own bike and bike lock. Here is a map of where to park your bike.
Another great option to get to Jazz Fest is the Gray Line Jazz Fest Express Shuttle. Not only can you conveniently take it from either downtown or City Park, but you have your own entrance and exit so you don’t have to wait in super long lines.
Finally, consider taking a taxi or ride-share like United, Uber or Lyft. Just remember that there will be surge pricing during Jazz Fest for Uber.
What to Bring and Not to Bring to Jazz Fest | Drug Possession & Criminal Lawyer New Orleans
Every year people ask, and wonder, what can they bring into the Jazz Fest Grounds or what do they have to leave behind. Most people plan to be at Jazz Fest all day from at least 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. so they want to make sure that they have everything they need since General Admission tickets do not allow you to leave and come back.
What Can I Bring to Jazz Fest? | Criminal Lawyer New Orleans
• Small bags and backpacks, no bigger than 17”x12”x10”
• 12-pack or smaller soft coolers
• Factory-sealed water bottles
• Single, collapsible chairs
• Wheelchairs, medical scooters
• Push strollers for children
• Handheld, personal-sized umbrellas
• Blankets and ground tarps no bigger than 6’x8’
What Should I Bring to Jazz Fest?
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Sunglasses
• Shrimp boots or rain boots, even if it isn’t raining – it may have in the last week so the grounds could be muddy
• Comfortable clothing and shoes
• Factory-sealed water bottle for personal consumption
• Cash money because you don’t want to hassle with an ATM there
• Poncho – in case there’s even a 5% chance of rain
What Can I NOT Bring to Jazz Fest? | Criminal Lawyer New Orleans
• Hard-sided coolers, or soft-coolers larger than 12-pack size
• Outside beverages except factory-sealed water
• Wagons, pull-carts, rolling bags, etc.
• Pets, Glass
• Metal Poles
• Personal tents, shade canopies or other shelters/shacks, etc.
• Beach or pole style umbrellas
• Drones
• Inflatable items
• Promotional items
• Video and audio recording equipment
• Weapons, illicit drugs, or other contraband
• Do not insert poles or stakes or any other objects into the ground…don’t look now, but…
What if You Get Arrested at Jazz Fest… New Orleans Criminal Lawyer
Depending on your personality, Jazz Fest can be one of the most laid back and relaxing times of year. To others, it’s a little stressful because of the crowds of people. Regardless, there is a lot of alcohol that is consumed, and I’ve heard there’s also some recreational drugs around. Remember: if you are not 21 years old yet, do not try to purchase or consume alcohol. You will be fined with a minor in possession violation. For those over 21, remember that if you’re drinking alcohol you should also consume water because not only is it hot but it’s a long day. You do not want to get thrown out of Jazz Fest, or perhaps arrested at Jazz Fest, for disturbing the peace, assault, public urination, public intoxication, criminal damage to property or resisting arrest. Even if you think that you would never do any of these, a little too much alcohol may lead to something you wouldn’t expect.
If you are arrested at Jazz Fest, or arrested in New Orleans while you are in town for Jazz Fest, you should remember that you have the right to remain silent. Be polite to security and law enforcement and do not resist arrest. Besides telling them your name and address, tell them you would like to speak with an attorney, your criminal lawyer. Call Crescent City Law at (504) 264-9492 or fill out a contact form here. We can schedule your FREE consultation and start protecting your rights.
