This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Tulane chapter.
Spring in New Orleans means one thing: festivals. Well, that and tanning weather! This weekend was French Quarter Fest, and as usual, it did not disappoint. Here are some of the highlights from a satisfied festival-goer.
- Blue skies: New Orleans weather can be finicky, and the festival was rained (or rather, flooded) out yesterday due to torrential downpours. However, on Sunday, there were gorgeous blue skies as far as the eye can see to make both an enjoyable experience and an excellent backdrop to French Quarter Instagrams. Despite the chilly wind, it was sunny, and the perfect day to explore downtown New Orleans.
- The Tri-Centennial: New Orleans has been pulling out all the stops for the city’s tri-centennial. It’s crazy that we go to school in a 300-year-old city, but crazy in the best way! The marketing campaign involved an amazing exhibit on how certain historical New Orleans institutions began and have changed from their origin until now, including Tulane University. But the highlight had to be the perfect Instagrammable backdrop, dark-paneled wood with scrolling white letters describing “One Time, in New Orleans”. There was even a video booth where festival attendees could share a New Orleans story and have it emailed to them.
- The music: no festival in Nola would be complete without incredible music, and this one was not an exception. From classic Jazz to Zydeco, there were incredible bands and performers across all of the stages at French Quarter Fest. Not to mention the wonderful street performers that the French Quarter is filled with- we heard everything from rap to violinists.
- The shopping: nothing beats wandering the French Quarter and finding incredible stores and galleries. The artwork in this area is so incredible, and when you avoid the trashier tourist traps, there are so many hidden gems to be found. A favorite today was called A Simpler Time and featured porthole mirrors, oil paintings of past presidents playing pool, and a book titled The Founding Foodies describing how the founders of America influenced its food culture. Exploring in Nola is the best kind of exploring.
- The food: Last, but not least, the heart of French Quarter Fest-or should I say the stomach? If only I had seven and an unlimited bank account, I would have eaten every last vendor. This year, the standouts were Jacques-Imos Duck Po-Boy, Crab Beignets with red pepper remoulade from Restaurant R’evolution, and Swamp Mint Chip ice cream from Quintin’s. We went home with deliciously full stomachs and extremely content tastebuds.
Even without all the bells and whistles of a festival, a day in the French Quarter is never dull. There was so much to see and do, and this year’s French Quarter Fest continued to be an incredibly fun excuse to get off campus over the weekend. Now, excuse me while I prepare my stomach to somehow eat Bruff again!