Patsy and I took in the French Quarter Festival today with her sister and our neighbor. We love this festival and try to go every year. For the most part, it's put on by locals for locals although tourists show up in force and are quite welcome to join in. All of the performers are from Louisiana and most of the festival is run by local volunteers. I hope to try my hand at that next year.
We hooked up with some of Patsy's cousins on arrival. They were at the Louis-Louis Pavilion Stage, so named for famous New Orleans sons, Louis Armstrong and Louis Prima. After a short visit, Patsy and I set out on our own before it got too crowded. Once we got in Jackson Square, the food smell just overwhelmed us. Time for Muriel's Crawfish and Goat Cheese Crepes. They were better than ever this year and are just out of this world. This was a good move on our part. By the time Patsy's sister and our neighbor got there, the line at Muriel's was ridiculous. We also had some Shrimp Regue from Antoine's that was excellent.
We made a pit stop at Jean Lafitte State Park after lunch. We always go there when we're in the French Quarter. Aside from being a really nice facility, you can get away from the crowd, sit for a while, and recharge the batteries a bit.
The weather held up. No rain and reasonable temps but we had a very stiff wind with us all day. Still, we had a good day. It is a great, great festival.
Woldenberg Park Monument to the Immigrant - April 17, 2009
More pics below the jump if you're interested.
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Steamboat Natchez - April 17, 2009 - As you see by the flags, we had a stiff wind all day
VooDoo Blues - April 17, 2009
St Louis Cathedral - April 17, 2009
Cabildo - April 17, 2009
Pirates Alley - April 17, 2009
Near Jackson Square - Love the hair - April 17, 2009
Near Jackson Square - Gentleman and Southern Belle - April 17, 2009
In Jackson Square - April 17, 2009
In Jackson Square - Lunch - The Shrimp Regue (Similar to Shrimp Remoulade) was fantastic - April 17, 2009
Near Jackson Square - April 17, 2009
Jean Lafitte State Park - French Quarter Unit - April 17, 2009
Jean Lafitte State Park - French Quarter Unit - April 17, 2009
Jean Lafitte State Park - French Quarter Unit - April 17, 2009
Wonderful pictures. I loved the purple hair too. It was a spectacular shade of purple. I wonder why he didn't take care of his goatee at the same time. I'm not familiar with Jean Lafitte State Park -- I'm guessing it's just a small area around or behind a building? Looks old and very quiet -- not many people know it's there maybe. I'm glad you had a nice day down there. Good food always make a nice day better, don't you think?
Sounds like you had a marvelous day. The pictures are wonderful. I especially like the St. Louis Cathedral. Wow. So imposing.
Sounds and looks absolutely wonderful!
One day I'm gonna have to get myself to New Orleans...
Jean Lafitte State Park is on Decatur. You have to walk through a tunnel to get to it and I think that's what keeps the wandering crowds away. The food is one of the reasons we go, Mom. We also get a couple of souvenir t-shirts. They were a little thin this year and I probably won't get to wear them as much.
St Louis Cathedral is spectacular, Marie. It dominates the view. The cathedral and the Cabildo must have both been cleaned recently.
It really is, Fi. If you ever do get to come, try to coincide your trip with this festival. This is three days of fun packed into easy walking distance. We'd love to have you.
Great pics, you do New Orleans proud. And I love the sign for the tarot and palmistry reader. I mean, as long as it's experienced, ethical, and professional... :)
Thanks, Dave. You might notice he wasn't "licensed" or "insured", though. :)