NEW ORLEANS – April 9, 10 and 11, 2010, marked the 27th anniversary and a record year for French Quarter Festival presented by Capital One Bank.  This year’s attendance figures indicate that approximately 512,000* festival-goers enjoyed the music, food, special events and of course, the historic French Quarter.  Visitors and locals alike enjoyed a unique weekend that only New Orleans can deliver.  Executive Director Marci Schramm commented, “We are so fortunate to have enjoyed a gorgeous weekend in New Orleans and that so many people came out to enjoy the festival – the food, the music, and the spirit of everyone was just fantastic.  We are thrilled with the support of Capital One Bank this year in such a meaningful way, along with all our festival sponsors – local brands that make New Orleans unique”.  “As presenting sponsor of the French Quarter Festival, Capital One Bank is proud to support an event that showcases and celebrates so much of what makes our city unique and special,” said Steve Hemperley, Greater New Orleans Market President for Capital One Bank. “This is one of many events we support that enhance the communities we serve in Louisiana. All of us at Capital One thank the festival’s organizers, performers and vendors, the residents and businesses of the French Quarter, and the hundreds of thousands of fans who combined to make this year’s French Quarter Festival the best yet.”

This award-winning festival, which began in 1984, has grown to become the largest free music festival in the South.  Eighteen stages throughout the French Quarter presented the best in New Orleans music, representing every genre from traditional and contemporary jazz to R & B and New Orleans funk, brass bands, folk, gospel, classical, opera, Cajun Zydeco, Latin World, International, as well as a musical stage for children.  Over 105 food and beverage booths located in Jackson Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint made up the “World’s Largest Jazz Brunch,” a signature event, featuring authentic local cuisine from renowned area restaurants, many of whom have been with the Festival its entire 27 years.  Record sales were recorded by both food and beverage vendors.

FQFI officials worked with Capital One Bank and Hotard to bring back shuttle service to the festival (not offered since 2003).  Capital One Bank sponsored the ‘Second Line Shuttle’, which was routed from the Convention Center to Canal Street and was free to ride all weekend.  To accommodate the many people attending the festival on both Saturday and Sunday, the New Orleans Police Department closed down North Peters and Decatur Street – creating a pedestrian mall from Canal Street all the way to the French Market.  The weekend was a safe and enjoyable experience for locals and visitors alike.

French Quarter Festival relies on strong community support to present the ‘kickoff to festival season in New Orleans’ – with over 1,100 volunteers, over 220 musical acts, sponsors including the New Orleans Musicians Union AFM Local 174-496, corporations from all over the state who sponsor musical acts at festival, New Orleans Police and Fire Departments, EMS, permitting assistance from the City of New Orleans and partnerships with Parks and Parkways, Audubon Institute and the Louisiana State Museum, among others.

Festival-goers attended special events throughout the three-day weekend, including over 1,100 guests at the Thursday night kickoff party: ‘TGIF’ – Thank Goodness it’s Festival! – on the Steamboat Natchez.  French Quarter Festival opened Friday with an official second-line parade, music starting at 11 a.m., the International Music Colloquium, free Swing Dance lessons at two stages, children’s music and activities at the Audubon Aquarium riverfront plaza, and a Pirate’s Alley Juried Art Show.  Saturday activities continued with the Rouses World Championship Crawfish Eating Contest, and Battle of the Bands.  Sunday’s ‘Dancing at Dusk’ grew in popularity as dancers filled the 400 block of Royal Street and beyond.

French Quarter Festival 2010 was sponsored by Sponsors for French Quarter Festival include: Capital One Bank, Louisiana Office of Tourism, Harrah’s Foundation, Abita Brewing Company, Southern Comfort, Coca-Cola, WWL-TV, French Market Corporation, Cox Business Louisiana, Musician’s Performance Fund, Rouses Market, Fetzer, National Endowment for the Arts, Louisiana State Museum, Community Coffee, Arts Council of New Orleans, nola.com, Louisiana Lottery, BMI, Heyward Foundation, Continental Airlines, New Orleans Red Dress Run sponsored by the New Orleans Hash House Harriers, New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, Pat O’s on the River, Hard Rock Café, Court of Two Sisters, Tulane Medical Center, Tulane Hospital for Kids at Tulane Medical Center, applitite, New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park, TRS – The Registration System, Got Milk?, BMI Foundation, WWOZ 90.7 FM, OffBeat Magazine, Where Y’at Magazine, Legends Park, Preservation Hall, The Historic New Orleans Collection, Le Petit Theatre, Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse, University of New Orleans Hospitality Research Center, NewOrleans.com, Louisiana Cookin’, Louisiana’s Health & Fitness Magazine, Vocero USA, Taste of the South Magazine, WWNO 89.9FM,  WWL AM870, 102.5 WFMF, 96.1 KRVE, AM1150  WJBO, and 101.5 WYNK. For more information on all FQFI festivals and events, call 504-522-5730 or visit www.fqfi.org.

French Quarter Festival was 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 about any of these events, call (504) 522-5730 or visit www.fqfi.org.

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*Attendance numbers are calculated based on actual counts (that are adjusted down by percentage to account for repeat entrances and exits).  Fess Security counts at entry and exit points of major stages.  This number does not include attendance at the festival’s Royal, Bourbon, Chartres and French Market stages, Battle of the Bands, Dancing at Dusk, Courtyard Tours, Cathedral Concert, Opera at the Cabildo, and other special events.  The organization is pleased to report record sales of food, beverages and merchandise.

Showcasing New Orleans Culture and Heritage Since 1984!

French Quarter Festival measures its success in many ways…

Attendance:

2010 – 512,000 people attended French Quarter Festival

2009 – 441,000 people attended French Quarter Festival

The Algiers-Gretna Ferry:

2010 – over 45,000 people road the ferry to French Quarter Festival

2009 – over 22,000 people road the ferry to French Quarter Festival

-      According to a ferry spokesperson, 37% more people road the ferry to the 2010 French Quarter Festival compared to the 2010 Mardi Gras

-      The Algiers-Grenta Ferry is considering the addition of a third ferry for the 2011 French Quarter Festival.

Tourism:

The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB) surveyed hotels and found that Friday night occupancy was 99 percent, Saturday night occupancy was 100 percent.

In addition to French Quarter Festival, the city hosted convention guests for the Southern Republican Leadership Conference, American Planning Association and American Association of Petroleum Geologists.

Abita:

2010 – 944 kegs consumed

2009 – 748 kegs consumed

Following the 2010 French Quarter Festival, there are no more kegs of Abita Jockamo India Pale Ale for distribution in the State of Louisiana (at the brewery and Crescent Crown Distributing).

Southern Comfort:

Following French Quarter Festival, there are no cases of Southern Comfort Sweet Tea cocktail left in the State of Louisiana for distribution (at Republic Beverage Company)

Rouses Crawfish Boil:

30,000 pounds of crawfish were boiled and consumed in 2010.  During 2009, the first year of this offering, 15,000-20,000 pounds of crawfish were boiled and consumed over three days during the ‘Rouses Crawfish Boil’ at the Old U.S. Mint.