New Orleans – Where You At! Is a popular saying in the Crescent City of New Orleans. Yes, I am posing this question to you. If you aren’t in New Orleans now, don’t fret, nor sweat, I got you covered as far as the recent 2nd Line Parade that snaked through the French Quarter, from Bourbon Street, to St. Ann, and finished at Jackson Square.
This parade took place to officially kick-off (pun intended) the 35th Annual French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron.
The weather Gods looked down favorably on this day. It was a bright, beautiful, sunny day to Party Hearty in N’AWLINS, as the locals would say.
The parade was led by a trio of 2nd Line Dancers called the 504 Krewe, which consisted of Anita Oubre, John Sanpie and Darryl Young, also known as Dancing Man 504. This group was followed by a group carrying the French Quarter Festival banner.
Additional participants in this extremely fun parade were French Quarter Festival officials, volunteers, baby dolls, Grand Marshal Elray Holmes, several brass bands-Olympia and Big Fun, appropriately named, Brass Band, Thrown Together Jazz Band, International Band, featuring band members from all over the globe, performing during French Quarter Festival.
The festival was made possible by sponsors who also paraded with their staff, KREWE, as they say in N’AWLINS. Chevron, House of Blues, Pan-American Life Insurance Group just to name a few, who paraded.
The Opening Ceremony took place following the parade in Jackson Square on the Hilton Tercentennial Stage. French Quarter officials welcomed the large crowd in attendance for the first day of the festival.
Leah Brown, Government and Public Affairs Manager at Chevron and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu also addressed the crowd. Father Phillip Landry Blessed the occasion and wished for better weather on Saturday for the French Quarter Festival.
Let’s get this party started. Stay tuned for a follow up post about the 35th Annual French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron.
Ricky Richardson is a Southern California based writer, music reviewer and photographer. Contact him via: [email protected]
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