NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The Beignet Fest Foundation announced today the seventh annual Beignet Fest will take place Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at New Orleans City Park’s Festival Grounds. The date marks a two-month shift for Beignet Fest, which is usually held in late September. Organizers are seeking cooler weather for the event, which has endured record heat the last two years.
“This past September, nearly 12,000 fest goers attended Beignet Fest and raised critical funds for children on the autism spectrum,” says Sherwood Collins, co-founder and executive director of Beignet Fest and the Beignet Fest Foundation. “But while attendees chowed down on more than 50 unique takes on sweet and savory beignets and enjoyed live local music, the heat made it a challenge to fully enjoy the day.”
Ticketholder feedback has been overwhelmingly positive year-over-year, except for one chief complaint around high temperatures that come with a late September event. Working with City Park and keeping in mind the robust fall festival schedule, Beignet Fest organizers identified the new date with the hope that cooler temperatures will mean a more enjoyable day with larger crowds to take advantage of all the festival fun.
As the event grows, organizers are focused on continuing to deliver the quintessential culture of New Orleans through food, music and art. The one-of-a-kind, fully activated and sensory friendly Kids Village created by Children’s Hospital New Orleans will return this year, along with live music, a locally curated art market, and of course, delicious beignets of all kinds!
With the popularity of VIP tickets last year, organizers have plans to offer more elevated experiences with multiple tents and larger spaces. VIP tickets are expected to sell out prior to the Nov. 16 festival.
For those interested in sponsoring Beignet Fest or participating as a food or art vendor can contact info@beignetfest.com.