ValueJazzFest

It's that time of year again! The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is the last hoorah for New Orleans before the misery of summer sets in. This misery includes unbearable heat, termites, cockroaches, mosquitos, hurricanes, and terrible humidity. Depressing, I know. But lets focus on the positive while it's still here.

The NOJ&H is one of the most legendary music festivals in the world. It includes stages ranging from gospel and blues to zydeco and rock and roll. Be warned, tickets are not cheap, especially if you wait til the last minute = $65 per day. The fare is well worth it if you can get out to the fairgrounds early (by noon). Also, it is important to come prepared. I recommend: change of shirt, bottled water, flask of vodka, florida water cologne, chairs, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, and a backpack.

The scene at Jazz Fest is very unique as so much of the festival centers around the local foods and crafts. There is gumbo, jambalaya, softshell crab poboys, shrimp poboys, boiled crawfish, crawfish bread, fried oysters, AND SO MUCH MORE! My favorites from the first weekend were the couchon de lait (slow cooked pork with coleslaw) po-boy which costs either $8 and the chicken and sausage jambalaya which costs $6. Keep in mind, most stations can wrap up your food or give you a top which allows you to bring the food back to the music stages.

There is a secret food spot which I re-visited last weekend. There are three hidden food stands facing the kids tent near the grandstands. bad real estate if you are a food vendor, but slightly shaded & near the kids tent! These booths have some less expensive fun items that include rice crispy treats, fruit salad, and macaroni and cheese. You can't beat a $1 rice crispy treat with chocolate chips on top. In fact, I dont think there is anything else at the Jazz Fest that costs $1. Go figure.

I can't wait to go searching for a new food booth that I havent tasted this weekend..and maybe hear some music while I'm out there.