January 29, 2009 – New Orleans, LA –French Quarter Festival was honored with its second award in the new year after being named ‘Best Festival’ at last night’s offBeat Magazine’s ‘Best of the Beat’ Business Awards Ceremony.  As it was chosen by offBeat readers, French Quarter Festival was named ‘Best Festival’ for 2008.  New Orleans Magazine announced in their January 2009 issue that readers also voted French Quarter Festival the 2008 ‘Best Festival’, as well as ‘Best Event Open to the Public’ – even beating out Mardi Gras in that category.

With under 80 days to go, preparations are underway for 2009, which will celebrate 26 years of showcasing the finest music, food and culture this uniquely New Orleans event has to offer. The award-winning festival is a favorite of locals and tourists alike and is the largest free music festival in the South. It was named a Top 10 Event by New Orleans CityBusiness Newspaper and is a Top 20 Destination according to AAA and the Southeast Tourism Society. French Quarter Festival attracted approximately 435,000 fans and generated an economic impact of more than $149 million.

Over 18 stages in prime locations throughout the French Quarter present over 250 hours of the best music New Orleans has to offer with 450 musicians representing every genre from traditional and contemporary jazz to rhythm & blues and New Orleans funk, to brass bands, folk, gospel, Latin, classical and international music.  More than 70 food and beverage booths located in Jackson Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint will feature authentic local cuisine from the area’s finest restaurants.

French Quarter Festival is produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc., (FQFI) the 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization which also produces Satchmo SummerFest in August and Christmas New Orleans Style in December.

For more information on FQF26, call 504-522-5730 or visit online at www.fqfi.org.

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