Tag Archives: New Orleans

by

4th of July

Seems to me its been about 20 years or so since New Orleans has begun the fireworks on the river on the holiday. The dueling barges is kind of a fun idea, especially as they outlaw personal fireworks in the city. Of course, all you have to do is go across the river to Gretna to buy some!
I suppose the 4th on the river has its beginnings in the 1984 World’s Fair where I remember they had nightly fireworks, although that seems excessive, so maybe I am wrong.
World’s Fair

Fireworks are not a huge part of New Orleans history. My memory was (when visiting my grandparents in the 1960s and 1970s) that we went to Pontchartrain Beach on the lake to view fireworks on the 4th. That park was pretty cool and this from someone who grew up most of the year in amusement park capital-Ohio. My mom actually met Elvis Presley at this amusement park way back in the early 1950s, when he was appearing nearby. The family story goes that a crowd was watching him play a carnival game, and when trying to wend his way out, he stepped on my aunt’s foot. My mom chided him and he gave her the stuffed animal he had won.
Sadly, Pontchartrain Beach closed in the early 1980s and is now a part of struggling University of New Orleans campus. I rode the Zephyr on that last day and like most people, walked off with a souvenir-mine was not a Presley gift but a mannequin arm that held my carnival beads for years in a place of honor in my courtyard.

by

Traffic warnings over weekend

The following traffic restrictions are associated with this year’s Essence Music Festival and Fourth of July celebration. The Essence Music Festival is scheduled for July 1, 2011 through July 3, 2011.

Beginning on July 1st, there will be an increased police presence in the Downtown area, French Quarter, Central Business District, and other areas where large crowds gather. Officers will be patrolling on foot, on scooters, on segways and the Mounted Unit will also patrol during this holiday weekend.

Beginning Friday, July 1, 2011 through Sunday, July 3, 2011, from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., vehicular traffic will be restricted in the following areas:
North Rampart Street
to Decatur/North Peters Street to Dumaine Street to Canal Street.
In the event of heavy pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic,
Canal Street may be partially restricted. Additionally, vehicular traffic will not be allowed to cross Bourbon Street from Canal Street to Dumaine Street.
Persons with specific destinations such as residents, hotel guests and employees will be afforded to opportunity to pass through the check points to their destinations, but there will be no traffic allowed to cross
Bourbon Street once it is closed.
On July 4th, a fireworks display is scheduled for 9:00 p.m., on the Mississippi River . There will be an increased police presence along
North Peters Street/Decatur Street from Canal Street to. Esplanade Avenue. Once the flow of pedestrian traffic becomes too heavy, vehicular traffic will be curtailed in that area.
It is strongly suggested that individuals planning on traveling to the Downtown and French Quarter area consider utilizing carpools, taxicabs or public transportation. Motorists should also pay very close attention to parking signage as illegally parked vehicles will be ticketed and towed. As a reminder, it is illegal in New Orleans to ignite fireworks or discharge firearms. Violators will be subject to arrest. Citizens should also utilize a designated driver if consuming alcohol.

by

Pride parade today!

Parade lines up at Harrah’s Casino on Canal Street

The parade is FREE and open to anyone wanting to show their Pride!!

PARADE LINE UP IS AT 11 AM ON CANAL ST AT HARRAH’S CASINO!!!

Street Festival begins at 1 p.m.

Parade route:
Goes down Canal Street to Bourbon Street

Down Bourbon Street to St Peter Street

Down St. Peter Street to Burgundy Street

Down Burgundy Street to St Ann Street

Down St Ann Street to Royal Street

Ending on Royal Street at St Peter Street

Map

by

Overheard in French Quarter:

Bus stops; Why have them? Are there any buses that come through here?

I like you because you’re like me. cynical.
I’m not cynical, I just give constructive advice! Do you mean, like when I called you a hipster?

Oysters off the shell? eeewww. That’s like putting a whole animal in your mouth…

by

Beauregard Square? who knew?

Turns out the space that has been known since the 1800s as Congo Square is actually called Beauregard Square for a Confed general who also has a statue at the entrance of City Park and a house tour in the Quarter. Seems the name change in favor of the general came in 1893 which seems about right, knowing the revisionist history that went on in the South around that time and that it was the year of his death. From the T-P article: “According to widely accepted historical tradition, African-American slaves were allowed to gather on Sunday afternoons in an open field just outside the city, at a spot known by various names including Place Congo. The slaves and free people of color used this space to market goods, to socialize and to sing, make music and dance, maintaining their cultural heritage as well as social cohesion. White New Orleanians and visitors to the city would go there to witness African-American music and dance.”
Congo Square is within Louis Armstrong Park at the “end” of Saint Ann if you are leaving the Quarter. The park’s current condition is deplorable and maybe the name change for this most important history will spark some action for this public space to be a jewel rather than an locked up eyesore. (Can I suggest a tearing down of the fence to begin?)
Author of “Congo Square: African Roots in New Orleans” Freddi Evans is appearing at Octavia Books and I am sure more signings to come to showcase her definitive history. I saw her speak at the TWLF this year and she is a delightful, gentle speaker with a firm grasp of her subject. Do yourself a favor and go hear her speak.

To order book
She will be at Octavia Tuesday at 6 pm.
t