(Photo: Mark Gstohl | CC Flickr)
French Quarter Festival will return to New Orleans this April after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, according to nonprofit officials earlier this month.
Emily Madero, president and CEO of French Quarter Festival Inc. nonprofit, said during a press conference held Feb. 15 at the Omni Royal Hotel that the event will will make its return starting April 21.
The nonprofit, which also manages Satchmo Summerfest, announced the cancelation of both festivals for the year in May 2020, citing direction of city officials over safety concerns due to the coronavirus.
Plans to restart the festivals in 2021 were also scrapped because of the coronavirus.
In her remarks, Madero recognized state and city officials for their guidance and support through the pandemic, including New Orleans District C City Council Council member Freddie King III, whose district includes the French Quarter and who provided some brief statements at the press conference.
“The economic impact to this city, to this district can’t be stated enough,” King said, referring to the “several hundred millions” of dollars the festival contributes to the local economy. “It’s very much needed and definitely at this time.”
More than 1800 local musicians across multiple genres — including Latin, gospel, blues and jazz — are slated to preform across more than 20 stages over the four-day festival, according to Madero.
French Quarter Festival started in 1984 after the World’s Fair as a way to attract more people to the neighborhood. In 2019, the festival generated $190 million for the local economy, including $15 million in tax revenue, according to its website.
For more information, visit frenchquarterfest.org.