Description:

Held the third weekend of May every year, Bayou Boogaloo (May 15-17, 2015) shows off the charm of the Mid-City neighborhood while lavishing attendees in unbeatable music, food, art and fun. This free music, food and culture festival celebrates the spirit of New Orleans with nearly 40,000 attendees each year, making it a highlight on the city’s festival lineup.

Part of this festival’s appeal is its setting, nestled right alongside Bayou St. John in Mid-City amidst picturesque live oak trees and the neighborhood’s distinctly New Orleans architecture. The bayou has become a place for New Orleanians to gather, particularly when the weather is warm and inviting, as it is at this time of year.

Live musical performances from local artists on stages that flank either side of the festival grounds provide hours of entertainment from midday into the early evening. This year, a few featured performers include Papa Mali, Yojimbo, Rotary Downs, Meschiya Lake & Tom McDermott, To Be Continued Brass Band and Mike Dillon’s New Orleans Punk Rock Percussion Consortium.

The food lineup is also packed with local faces and flavors, including many Mid-City restaurants that show off the neighborhood’s cuisine offerings via delicious small plates at the festival. A few of last year’s vendors included Mid-City Pizza, Mona’s Café, Ralphs on the Park and Bratz Y’all. Art is still another chief aspect of Bayou Boogaloo, featuring local and national artists who showcase their artwork and handcrafted designs.

Bayou Boogaloo is a great New Orleans festival to kick off the summer and relive some of the magic of Jazz Fest and other spring festivals.