French Quarter Fest – Friday

We did a lot of roaming our second day of the 32nd annual French Quarter Fest starting at The Mint with a bowl of Pulled Pork over Roasted Corn & Cheese Grits ($7) from Squeal. We got a hug from Winks’ Dwight Henry, star of Beasts of the Southern Wild and 12 Years a Slave before making our way to the French Market where we watched a few minutes of a dance class. Then we walked along the river to Jackson Square for Ponchatoula Strawberry Shortcake ($5) from GW Fins.

Then it was back to the Mint’s Popeyes Stage for the New Orleans Nightcrawlers, an all-star band strong on horns and talent. We grabbed an Abita Strawberry beer then went back to Jackson Square for NOLA favorite John Boutte. Then is was through the Jax parking lot full of food booths to the Abita Stage in Woldenberg Park just in time to catch the Going to the Chapel singalong with The Dixie Cups.

Next, we made our way to the Aquarium for Boudin Stuffed Fried Chicken ($7) from Patois and refreshing Tropical Fruit Salad with Coconut Sorbet ($5) from Broussard’s. Then back to the Abita stage for “The Soul Queen of New Orleans,” Miss Irma Thomas. As the much-feared storm rolled in, she sang her hit, It’s Raining then got a few phrases into You Can Have My Husband (But Please Don’t Take My Man), the skies cracked open and the rain poured down. Miss Irma said they’d need to cover the equipment and wait it out.

And we did wait. We got rained on and waited and waited. Then we caved and walked home getting soaked to the skin. Then it rolled past and within an hour, everything was up and running again so we headed back to the Mint for The Original Pinettes Brass Band. The world’s first all-female brass band (though they did have a male drummer sitting in), the Pinettes beat out all the guys to win the Red Bull Street Kings title.

The concert was amazing and the crowd danced their butts off but we had to leave early to make it to the Pelicans game! They won handily and we’re still in the running for the playoffs. Great day. Apologies for not finding time to do the links and photo labels.