Bayou Boogaloo returns May 19-21 to the banks of historic Bayou St. John with four music stages (including a kids stage), 26 food vendors serving Louisiana and international cuisine, 60+ art vendors, and musical acts including Cracker, Marco Benevento and Tank & the Bangas.
What do you think Bayou Boogaloo adds to the NOLA festival scene? The namesake bayou sets the stage for the festival and is an integral part of the experience. You can listen to music from a canoe, kayak or raft. No other festival in New Orleans has this relationship with water. It gives people a chance to experience and understand a landmark feature of our city in a new way.
What would you recommend to a first-time visitor? Extend the experience beyond the grounds – participate in the Paddle Battle, a 6-mile race to paddle your favorite canoe, kayak, or paddle-board. Take part in the Bicycle Pub Crawl. Bayou Kayaks rents kayaks and other paddle equipment during the event. Admire the hand-crafted arts in the curated art market, the floating pirate ships, and handmade seaworthy vessels. Stop by the carved oak tree by Marlin Miller nearest the Orleans Stage. Print a schedule and bring some sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
What’s new this year? Every year the food vendors grow more diverse and delicious. New this year are J’s Seafood Dock, Gonzo’s Smokehouse and BBQ, Z’Kaya, and True Vietnamese.
How is it a kid and pet friendly fest? Our kids’ stage offers programming targeted to kids of all ages, as does our craft tent. There is also a baby changing station and nursing tent. We have a veterinarian from Canal Street Veterinary Clinic onsite the entire festival providing water and shade for our four-legged friends. Pets MUST be on leashes at all times.