New Orleans’ blend of cultures, culinary tastes, and attractions have made it one of America's top Gulf Coast destinations. It’s not just the birthplace of Jazz, but also a haven for musicians from all backgrounds with a spectrum of performance and music venues throughout the city. The Big Easy stands ready to turn your next vacation into an unforgettable getaway.
The Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo is a showcase of New Orleans finest music, food, and art, and will take place May 19-21 along the Bayou St. John. It’s one of the largest music events in the city, featuring more than 30 acts that represent a variety of music genres. The event is also a showcase for more than 60 local and regional artisans selling and exhibiting their work. The event is an ideal environment for the entire family and kids can watch live performances and participate in epic bubble making. Additional activities include paddleboat races, bicycle pub crawl, pop-up hoop jam, and more. The MotherShip Foundation produces the event and works to promote art, recreation, and culture in the community. We got the chance to interview Jessica Rosgaard, a representative of the event, to learn more about this massive community celebration.
RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.
JR: The Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo - now in its 12th year - brings a crowd of over 30,000 attendees to the banks of New Orleans’ Bayou St John for three days of unforgettable music, delicious food, inspiring art, and a festival spirit like no other. The all-ages, kid-friendly and pet-friendly festival attracts families, couples, friends, locals and tourists alike. About 25% of our audience brings at least one child with them to the Boogaloo! The main draw of the festival is its unique location on the Bayou, along with a historic urban waterway and bike path. The event is neighborhood-oriented and promotes sustainability. People come to Boogaloo via streetcar, bicycle, car, or boat! The party extends from the banks of the Bayou into the Bayou itself, where people hang out on kayaks, in canoes, inflatable rafts, and even homemade barges!
RAL: Take me through the activities of a day at the event.
JR: A day at Bayou Boogaloo begins and ends with music! The festival picks up on Friday after work around 5:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday festivities start at 11:00 am, with yoga on Sunday. There’s music playing simultaneously on four stages throughout the day, ending around 9:00 pm. There’s kids tent with activities and crafts for our young Boogaloo participants, while Hey Now, Hooping offers hula-hoop and hoop dancing lessons for beginners and veterans alike. In its third year, our Paddle Battle features a 5.5-mile kayak race down the bayou. We also have a Bicycle Pub Crawl, sponsored by Mid-City Volleyball Group. Cyclists meet downtown and enjoy a social pub crawl and local history tour en route to the Boogaloo.
RAL: What dining options will attendees encounter?
JR: Any festival in New Orleans has to have good food - we have food from 30 local restaurants and caterers, featuring local cuisine like seafood and alligator po’boys, oysters, boudin, and cracklins. We also have some local tacos, pizza, and BBQ. And this year we’re featuring beer from a new local brewery, Port Orleans Brewing Co. One of the highlights of the event is our signature Root Beer Float Float - a barge on the Bayou selling pecan root beer and vanilla ice cream - sure to refresh on a sunny Boogaloo day!
RAL: What is the environment like.
JR: The Boogaloo offers a relaxed festival atmosphere for people to listen to music, dance, and enjoy the company of friends along the Bayou. It’s pretty common to find local celebrities and musicians spending a few hours at the Boogaloo - and one year, Bill Gates was even spotted!
RAL: What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging?
JR: There are many hotel options in the French Quarter or New Orleans Central Business District (CBD) with access to the Canal Streetcar line, which goes directly to the fest! People seeking more rustic accommodations might be interested in the French Quarter RV park or could rent a cabin on Bayou Segnette - just a short drive away.
RAL: Does this drive business to your local economy?
JR: The economic impact of Bayou Boogaloo is upwards of $750,000 from out of town visitors. Local artists make over $100,000 in sales annually at the festival, and we raise funds for local non-profit partners.
RAL: Does the event support a special cause in the community?
JR: The mission of the MotherShip Foundation, which produces the event, is to improve the quality of life for New Orleans residents by promoting art, culture, and recreation. We have several non-profit partners including Friends of the Lafitte Greenway, Morris Jeff Community School, Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association, among others. Foundation projects include our anti-litter initiative, and our Restore the Bayou Canopy Campaign - an ongoing effort to replace trees lost to hurricanes, this initiative has already resulted in the planting of eight live oak trees along Bayou St. John and twelve trees in the nearby Broadmoor neighborhood.
RAL: Why should people come to your event?
JR: In a city that is well-known for its festivals, events, and hospitality, there is no other festival in the country that takes place on an urban bayou! Boogaloo regulars have made their own festival traditions - we invite you to come and experience our beautiful city like the locals do - with good music, good food, and good friends!
For more information about the Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo, please visit the event website.