French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) is proud to announce preliminary outcomes from the 2022 French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron.
Thanks to the generous support of sponsors and fans during the pandemic, the nonprofit FQFI remained resilient and celebrated a historical comeback with over 825,000 enthusiasts over four days. The numbers matched pre-pandemic levels.
“Nothing compares to the sea of smiling faces, dancing and excitement we witnessed at Fest this year.” said Emily Madero, President and CEO of FQFI. “After a two-year hiatus, we produced a successful event with 275 performances from local musicians and ate our way through 55 culinary experiences with more than 825,000 French Quarter Festival fans over four beautiful days. Our small but mighty team overcame unprecedented challenges to deliver a thriving event for our community of fans, musicians, and businesses. We’re proud to be back and to return even stronger with new elements like our Geauxing Green initiative and a sold out FQF After Dark concert series.”
“The overwhelming success of this year’s French Quarter Festival, especially considering that attendance numbers were at pre-pandemic levels, is a sure sign that New Orleans is bouncing back from the challenges we’ve faced over the last two years,” said New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “Our continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic hardships that local artists and business owners have endured, speaks volumes about our city’s readiness and willingness to do the work it takes to become the beacon for tourism again. More than 825,000 people attended this year’s events and my gratitude goes out to the hospitality workers, and the generous support of festival partners like Chevron, who helped make this possible.”
“Fans came out in full force to enjoy the return of French Quarter Festival.” says David Bilbe, General Manager of Omni Royal Orleans Hotel. “Omni Royal Orleans Hotel has participated in the festival since 2005. Our team was thrilled to resume our tradition as a culinary vendor and the official hotel of French Quarter Festival. The Rib Room outperformed 2019 sales on the Riverfront, and the hotel was nearly full with visiting attendees”
Four days of eclectic sounds from over 1,800 talented local musicians electrified the Quarter while fest-goers danced to the beats of musical legends like John “Papa” Gros and Irma Thomas. Thomas ended her sunset performance with the famous “Iko Iko” as revelers waved white handkerchiefs and swayed to the smooth but upbeat sounds from the Soul Queen of New Orleans. The excitement and captivating energy of the festival continued, even with intermittent showers during a performance by Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters at the Chevron Stage and Flow Tribe, whose guitar player hopped from the Abita Beer Stage to jam with the audience in the rain front-of-stage on Sunday.
More than 1,500 young visitors experienced the Chevron STEM “Carnival” on Saturday and Sunday. Partners showcased interactive hands-on learning activities that illustrated how motion and forces play a role in carnival-style games, while incorporating the elements of “STEM” (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Community partners included Audubon Nature Institute, NASA Astro Camp Collaborative Partners, Ochsner Education Outreach, Project Lead the Way, The National WWII Museum, STEM NOLA, Central Creativity, LaSTEM, Greater New Orleans STEM Initiative, The Water Institute, NAMI St. Tammany and Northshore Technical Community College.
In addition to soaking up the sounds and flavors of Fest, fans were treated to art installations presented by JAMNOLA, the cultural funhouse and experiential museum in the Marigny. Garden of Legends by Brennan Steele, a series of larger-than-life sculptures featuring local musicians of the past, present and future debuted at festival and will become a perennial exhibit with more iconic musicians added annually. This year, the series celebrated Irma Thomas and Tarriona “Tank” Ball. The Brassararium by Marcus Brown, a native New Orleanian, artist and teacher, was an interactive musical terrarium that celebrated the use of brass instruments in the city. Attendees were delighted to “play” the sculpture using his custom interactive technology that releases altered saxophone notes created by an alto sax. “There’s a connection between how you play this piece and your biological electricity,” said Brown. “We all together as humans share this connectivity.”
Beyond the incredible programming, the 2022 event was marked by numerous magical moments like the Opening Day Parade that attracted hundreds of new and returning fans that strolled the streets led by the sounds of New Wave Brass Band, TBC Brass Band and New Birth Brass Band. Louisiana’s Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell danced their way into Jackson Square where the crowd swelled for the official Opening Day Ceremony.
FQFI serves a dual mission to showcase New Orleans’ culture and heritage and contribute to the economic well-being of the community. The culinary lineup, sponsored by Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard, was composed of 55 local vendors. This year FQF welcomed more than 10 culinary debuts including Paella Nola with a traditional and vegetarian paella, Cocoa and Cream Catering, The Bower, Addis Nola, New Orleans Ice Cream, Armantine Seafood and Spirits, Crabby Jack’s with grillades and grits, rabbit jambalaya, shrimp and grits, and chicken and sausage jambalaya, Ma Momma’s House, Ditto Food Truck, Nola Crawfish and Seafood, and Beaucoup Eats served the dirty gumbo, Voodoo vegan po-boy, Voodoo mac & cheese and jerk chicken pasta, and Goodfellas Seafood & Po-Boys.
“As a new culinary vendor we were extremely honored to be a part of such a historic event showcasing our City’s magnificent hospitality culture.” says Nicole Mackie Managing Member of Ma Mamma’s House of Cornbread, Chicken and Waffles. “French Quarter Fest not only exceeded our expectations but the sales and exposure were important to our family’s growing business. We are looking forward to being in that FQF number next year”. Other returning favorites included Ajun Cajun, Cafe Dauphine, Jack Dempsey’s, Tujague’s and WWOZ Mango Freeze.
FQF brought back the NOLA.com Fest Family Experience which began in 2018 as a way to give fans an elevated festival experience while raising critical funds to keep the event admission free. The organization also relied heavily on nearly 1,000 volunteers, numerous generous sponsors—including title sponsor Chevron and businesses from all over the country that sponsor musical acts.
“Chevron is tremendously proud to have played a part in the return of French Quarter Festival,” said Leah Brown Public Affairs Manager, Chevron Gulf of Mexico. “Visitors from around the world were excited to see New Orleans’ legendary artists return to the stage and celebrate the city’s special culture, cuisine, and character. Chevron thanks the French Quarter Fest staff for their hard work and long standing partnership. We also invite everyone to join us for French Quarter Festival’s 40th anniversary next year!”
