Tips & Tricks
Jazz Fest is amazing but it can also be stressful.
Like any large event, you have to know where to park, where to pee, and the routes that are going to save you time and money. Jazz Fest is no exception, but there are people who work and play every single day at the fest that have some tried and true tips for making the fest the best. Here's what they had to say:
Keefer Estevez, a local photographer and videographer who has spent a lot of time at Jazz Fest, suggests walking the Gentilly area west of Liuzza's By The Track for plenty of hidden treasures including pop-up gumbo stands, live music, families, and face painting. It's a kid friendly and pet friendly neighborhood, although you cannot bring pets into the fest, "and it's full of local flavors in all Jazz Fest lore and history."
Cristi Rickey lives extremely close to the fest and has worked or gone regularly for years. She seconds the idea to go drop by Liuzza's By The Track beforehand and mentions that the Sauvage Street pedestrian entrance often has shorter lines. Unfortunately, though, it just does not have the welcome greeting recording from George Wein.
She reminded us that the stinging caterpillars, buckmoths, are in full season and often are dropping from live oaks around April/May, so she suggests wearing a hat or carrying an umbrella while walking under trees to prevent a painful sting from ruining your day. If you do get stung, you can always hit the med tent for topical cream, if needed.
Rickey also mentions that the shows on some of the smaller, overlooked stages can be the most incredible ones. The Lagniappe Stage has some amazing acts, and you can pop into the club house for some incredible artist interviews or cooking demonstrations. The bonus is, too, that there are real bathrooms inside, and the lines are shorter on the second floor, and you'll get to cool off while waiting.
Making a homestead or a basecamp where people can meet you if they get separated or where you can camp out all day is often preferable to some than just wandering around. A flag or easy identifier will make it easier for folks to find you. You can always trade spots if you want to wander around, leaving someone else in charge of the setup. If you're going to see headliners, bring several drinks with you because it won't be easy to get them once it starts getting super crowded. If you have to step away, Rickey points out that you should make friends with those around you, so they'll let you back to your spot.
Theresa Crosby, a frequent festival attendee, suggests bringing a large ice pack that's already frozen and placing it in your backpack, along your spine. "You can throw it away when it melts, and it keeps me cool for four plus hours. It's worth every penny." This is such a cool idea.
Erin Dauenhauer-Decota suggests bringing large trash bags. They fold up really small in your handbag or backpack and make an excellent place to sit, or put under your blanket, when the ground is wet. It's also a great substitute if you don't want to bring a chair—you can bring extra blankets or towels, too. At the end of the night, you can use your trash bag to collect your area's trash and leave by the usually overflowing trash cans to make the staff's lives a little easier.
Alessandra Hitchcock, a local actor, photographer, and graphic designer, wants to remind people to bring a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses and about the possibility of very muddy soil, depending on rain. You might not mind having mud squishing around your toes if you're wearing flip-flops, but if you hate that sensation, you may want to opt for close-toed sneakers, hiking boots, or rain boots. This is obviously solid advice.
Some folks work the festival and can be found there every day, typically behind your favorite stages. Some personal tips include bringing an insulated bottle filled with ice that you can refill with alternating rounds of water and rosemint or blackberry tea—they all mix together nicely—having a backpack with essentials such as extra toilet paper, wet wipes, sunscreen, handheld fans, portable phone chargers, extra socks in case it's muddy, and some foil, ziplocks, and food containers for wrapping your leftovers for easier transport. Park well outside of festival limits and walk. Jazz Fest has its own "box," just like Mardi Gras.
You may also want to bring a few small bills, because, even though the festival is cashless, you will encounter families and kids selling treats along the way. Plus, the amazing bathroom attendants need some love. If you wait until the very end when everyone is leaving, be prepared for longer exit lines. Sometimes, NOPD will close off some of the on-ramps to the I-10 and I-610 nearby, as well, so be prepared to have to try multiple routes to find a way home and expect delays.
Hopefully, these tips and tricks help you have the best Jazz Fest ever. Even if you do none of this, you're still guaranteed to have a great time. That's the beauty of the festival. Sometimes, randomness wins.
