FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL KICKOFF PARADE TO FEATURE LEGENDARY MUSICIAN PETE FOUNTAIN
WHAT: LEGENDARY PETE FOUNTAIN TO HELP KICKOFF
25TH ANNIVERSARY FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL
WHERE: Parade Start: 100 Block of Bourbon Street
Parade End: Jackson Square
(Parade will stop at Musical Legends Park at 311 Bourbon Street; pick up Pete Fountain after he unveils the statue of Ronnie Kole, and deliver him, by car, to Jackson Square where he will perform with Connie Jones and the French Quarter All-stars.)
WHEN: Friday, April 11, 2008
10:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
FOR MORE INFO: Call 504-522-5730 or visit online at www.fqfi.org
NEW ORLEANS – French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI), producers of the locally-loved, internationally renowned French Quarter Festival, celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the largest free music festival in the South with a very special kickoff parade this Friday morning, featuring New Orleans’ own music legend—PETE FOUNTAIN.
Pete Fountain will first unveil a statue of fellow jazz legend and long-term FQFI board member, Ronnie Kole, at Musical Legends Park (311 Bourbon Street) before joining the passing French Quarter Festival parade and ending at Jackson Square where he will officially open the gates, signaling the start of festival weekend. He will then take the stage at 11 a.m. for a very special festival performance with Connie Jones and the French Quarter All-stars.
“This is like a homecoming to me,” said Fountain, who has been away from the festival in recent years due to ill health. “I’m feeling great and I can’t wait to take the stage and entertain all my festival friends.”
The parade, which features a variety of brass bands, horse-drawn carriages, a vintage fire truck and loads of eager festival-goers, will travel the following route: Start at Bourbon and Iberville; up Iberville to St. Ann; left on St. Ann to Jackson Square.
The 2008 French Quarter Festival takes place on April 11, 12, and 13th as the organization celebrates its 25th anniversary. A complete listing of music schedules, menus and events can be found at www.fqfi.org. French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, which also produces Satchmo SummerFest in August and Christmas New Orleans Style in December. FQFI promotes the Vieux Carré and the City of New Orleans through high quality special events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of this unique city, contribute to the economic well being of the community, and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans.
