*(New Orleans, LA) — The 2024 French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron is over and is one for the books. Hopefully, you were in the numbers, or know of someone in attendance at this year’s festival. Could someone please help me recall the name of the song that features the lyrics “Ain’t no party, like the French Quarter Festival party.”
Each year, as part of a springtime ritual, hundreds of thousands of music aficionados, and foodies flock to New Orleans to experience the culture that is the world-famous French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron. French Quarter Festival is the unparalleled presentation of American roots music, international rhythms, and of course, Louisiana culture that has made the festival endure and flourish for over four decades.
It comes as no surprise that the French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron keeps inching closer and closer to the million mark. 950,000 revelers were in attendance for the 2024 French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron. This speaks to the resiliency, relevancy, and vibrant cultural heritage of the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana as a whole.
“The 2024 French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron celebrated a banner year, welcoming an estimated 950,000 guests over four days, and was a reflection of New Orleans at its best- showcasing beautiful weather, community, environmental stewardship, and celebration across generations and cultures, “said Emily Madero, President and CEO of FQFI. “This year we opened new sites, debuted two stages, expanded musical genres and culinary programming, and delighted in the diverse flavors of our region’s culinary talent. Our small team works tirelessly throughout the year to produce the festival. We are so grateful for all of our volunteers, partners, and vendors who joined us to contribute to a successful event and to make these four days in April unforgettable and impactful.”
“The first festival of the busy spring season with beautiful weather and huge crowds, the 41st Annual French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron was a perfect example of what makes New Orleans a great place to live, work, and visit,” said Mark Romig, Chief Marketing Officer for New Orleans & Company, the official destination sales and marketing organization for New Orleans tourism industry. “New Orleans & Company was proud to be the title sponsor for the stage in Jackson Square. French Quarter Festival 2024 was the perfect backdrop for the Today Show with Hoda and Jenna, to invite the world to come to experience New Orleans’s unique culture.”
The 41st iteration of the festival got underway with a colorful, lively, and vibrant parade.
The parade began on the 200 block of Bourbon Street. Hundreds of fans strolled the streets with a little extra pep in their steps (rhythmically)!
A parade participant was stepping to the beats and sounds provided by the Black Magic Drumline, Pauline Brothers Jazz Band, New Wave Brass Band, Da Truth Brass Band, and Homer Plessy Community School.
The bands marched alongside local organizations, and partners, sponsors, FQFI officials, and dignitaries. The official Opening Ceremony in Jackson Square followed after the parade.
Lionel Ritchie’s song “All Night Long” comes to mind as I recap the 2024 French Quarter Festival. Here are a few lyrics to describe the scene and the vibes of the festival. Sing along at your leisure. “People dancing in the street, See the rhythm all in their feet, Life is good, wild and sweet, Yeah, once you get started you can’t sit down, Come join the fun, it’s a merry-go-round.”
Louisiana, being well-known for its rich heritage that developed from a variety of cultures and global influences, has birthed legendary musicians from Louis Armstrong to Dr. John. This year, the French Quarter Festival celebrates legends that have continued to grace its stages since 1984 like Irma Thomas Soul Queen of New Orleans, Ivan Neville, Little Freddie King, George Porter Jr., Charmaine Neville, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., and Kermit Ruffins and many others that have shared their talents with fans and made French Quarter Festival a beloved and authentic Louisiana experience.
Day One of the festival boasts seven dynamic stages including two new additions in Wolderberg Park- Riverfront, Abita Stages, Jack Daniel’s Stage, Tropical Isle Hand Grenade Stage, PosiGen Solar DJ Stage, Culinary Stage presented by Kingfish Kitchen & Cocktails, in JAX Lot Chevron Stage and Jackson Square, New Orleans.com powered by New Orleans & Company.
Music enthusiasts were grooving and moving to the eclectic beats of various music genres from Jazz, Blues, and R&B to Zydeco, Folk, Gospel, Funk, and more, for a beloved and authentic Louisiana experience.
There were many outstanding performances on the opening day during the French Quarter Festival. The highlights that I experienced were Rory Danger and the Danger Dangers; Lilli Lewis Project; Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers with special guest Irvin Mayfield, ÌFÉ on the Abita Stage; Chris Thomas King on the Tropical Isle Hand Grenade Stage; Delfeayo Marsalis & the Jazz Uptown Orchestra; on the New Orleans.com Stage. The day concluded with dazzling performances by Big Freedia on the Chevron Stage.
Friday, Day 2, the French Quarter Festival continued its vibrant showcase with the exciting addition of 8 new stages, on a beautiful, sunny day in the Crescent City. The highlights were sets by Big Chief Juan Pardo & the Golden Comanches and a dose of the blues from Ernie Vincent on the Jack Daniels Stage in Spanish Plaza. Little Freddie King kept us in a blues mode, followed by the funky, grooving sounds of George Porter Jr., & The Runnin Pardners, and closed out the day with the vocal styling of Irma Thomas, Soul Queen of New Orleans on the Abita stage in Wolderberg Riverfront Park.
Saturday, Day 3, French Quarter Festival revelers were in for another vibrant showcase on a picture-perfect day with lots of sunshine. The festival was burning on all cylinders with the exciting addition of 8 new stages. Magical moments consisted of Nayo Jones Experience on the Tropical Isle Hand Grenade Stage; a lovely journey down memory lane with The Dixie Cups on the Abita Stage; a thrilling set by The Rumble featuring Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr, on the Jack Daniels Stage; Don Vappie & Banjo a la Creole, followed by Charmaine Neville on the New Orleans.com Stage and concluded with an energetic set by The Original Pinettes Brass Band with Mia X on the Jack Daniels Stage.
Sunday, Day 4, as previously mentioned, the 2024 French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron finished on a high note, pun intended. The festival finished up another successful year. Sunday’s musical highlights included performances by the Vegas Cola Band on the Tropical Isle Hand Grenade Stage; Erica Falls followed by Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and the Golden Eagles on the Abita Stage. My day closed with an entertaining set by Wanda Rouzan and a Taste of New Orleans on the Tropical Isle Hand Grenade Stage.
French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron is produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc., (FQFI) the 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, which also produces Satchmo SummerFest in August and Holidays New Orleans Style in December. FQFI’s mission is to promote View Carré and the City of New Orleans through high-quality special events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of this unique city, contribute to the economic well-being of the community, and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans. Now is the time to start making plans to attend the 42nd Annual French Quarter Festival, scheduled for April 10-13, 2025. For more information about the French Quarter Festivals Inc., visit http://www.fqfi.org
Ricky Richardson is a Southern California-based writer, music reviewer, and photographer. Contact him via: [email protected]
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