It's another weekend of free festivals in the French Quarter.
The Cajun-Zydeco Festival and the French Market's Creole Tomato Festival are going on side-by-side this Saturday and Sunday.
The Cajun-Zydeco Fest is the Jazz and Heritage Foundation's tribute to the dance music of southwest Louisiana.
"We have 18 groups performing on three stages over the course of two days," says spokesman Scott Aiges.
Grammy Award nominee C.J. Chenier is just one of the new acts at the Fest this year, along with a number of favorites like The Lost Bayou Ramblers and Bruce Daigrepont.
Aiges says it's a two-day dance party at the Old U.S. Mint. And, he doesn't expect the weather to spoil the fun.
"If it's not thundering and lightning, then we'll be out there. And, as long as it's safe to play, we'll be playing," he says.
Louisiana food and local crafts will be featured, as well.
Tomatoes are the top act right next door at 26th Annual Creole Tomato Festival.
The tomato fest at the French Market features three music stages of its own, including the Dutch Alley Swing Dance stage with live jazz bands, dance contests & lessons.
Amy Duvoisin, Marketing Director for The French Market Corporation, says there's something for the whole family.
"We have face painting, balloon arts, seed planting and craft making in Dutch Alley for the kids, and it's a nice, cool area for them."
She says they'll have misting stations in the Alley and at LaTrobe Park, plus a misted seating tent by Farmers Market.
They'll also be cooking demonstrations every hour and free samplings. Things like Creole Tomato gazpacho, and Louisiana crabmeat with green Creole tomato relish.
There's also a tomato eating contest on Sunday.
"You just got to come and sign up and eat tomatoes," says Duvoisin. "We just give them a box of tomatoes, which is about eight tomatoes, and see what they can do in three minutes."
E-Mail
Print
