NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – It’s part music fest, part feeding frenzy, and part fashion show. French Quarter Fest 2016 kicked off with flawless weather and enthusiastic crowds.
“It’s New Orleans baby, people from all over the world come through, and they love the music, love the food,” says exuberant musician Gary Kelly.
Freedom of expression is out in full force too—on stage and off.
Cowboy Mouth with its lead singer/drummer Fred LeBlanc made its French Quarter Fest debut, with LeBlanc encouraging the crowd to go crazy. He tossed over a few sponsor tables, telling the crowd that they would not be sitting during the show.
LeBlanc came off the stage and leaned over the fence at crowd level to shout: “You are in the greatest place in the entire universe, New Orleans, Louisiana during French Quarter Fest! Are you with me here?”
The crowd roared back a cheer in response.
It’s also about the food, with signature items from some of New Orleans finest restaurants, such as Red Fish Grill, where the very messy, but oh-so-delicious barbecue oyster Po-boy is a big hit.
“It’s fried oysters tossed in buffalo sauce made from crystal hot sauce, honey, and butter, and we put blue cheese on top of it, and it’s served on French bread with lettuce, tomato, and onion. It’s very different, but it’s very good,” say, Lyn Davis, of Red Fish Grill.
The dancing and feasting continues through Sunday.