New Orleans Fried Chicken Festival

Enjoyed everything except the weather, but it Louisiana so I deal with it. Parking was close so that was a plus. The food was ok

fun afternoon. good music, food lines waaaaaay tooo loong…

I’m a local native of New Orleans and unfortunately Festivals really aren’t my thing because I don’t like packed crowds. I attended during the hours of 1-3 I only stayed maybe 30-45 minutes on the Saturday which was the first day of the festival. I went specifically to support a local baker “The Batterina”. Parking was easy if you park at UNO and ride the FREE school bus shuttle to and from the parking area. Once I got there entry was ok they check bags and scan for weapons. Once inside the festival the main stage was at the front where I found it to be packed mostly. There were food tents as you continue to walk towards the back but the lines were extremely long for some of the vendors. It was hard to really tell where to find certain vendors because of how they had the names set up on the banners. There was seating by the raising canes area but you’ll definitely have to bring a blanket or chairs if you plan to attend. You aren’t allowed to bring any outside food or drinks into the festivals not even water. It was a good atmosphere for a nice family day outing. Definitely make sure to wear sunscreen. There was also a local car show that happened to be on the lake in the same area. I’d like to see this festival as big as jazz fest someday with more local vendors and musicians. The people that pulled it together did an amazing job.

First let's say the food was amazing! Ok the mistakes no shuttle buses if you parked by the lake front which stated there will be shuttles no one meaning staff knew anything, you asked is there a shuttle no one knew just a mess. Second we get to the part that asked to show tickets I showed her on my phone and told her the VIP Chandon section, someone should have said you need a arm band if your in VIP Chandon section which meant we walked all the way to the back of the event to get there to have to walk all the way back to the front to get an arm band not just us but so many people had to do this, I was an in an outrage and of course staff didn't know anything, good thang my daughter was with me cause I can't walk that far barely made it there and had to walk back for an arm band, the treatment for me spending $120 a person and I brought 4 tickets. Once we were in the food was good Chicken Kitchen amazing staff was friendly. Then when it's time to leave I asked on of the grounds staff if there was a shuttle she said yes went to the back entrance which we didn't know they had cause VIP could have parked back there and we could have been closer to the VIP Chandon tent. So we got on the yellow bus that was only taking people to the UNO drop off which we didn't no the bus didn't say only for UNO parking nothing the bus driver was willing to take us at least to the Rouses but the supervisor only wanted to take us back to where she picked us up from NO CUSTOMER SERVICE AT ALL!!! so which meant we had to call an UBER unacceptable..... Suggestions: there need to be shuttle buses for all areas this is not an free event the VIP tents need to give out the arm bands or have a better system so people should not have to walk from one end of the event for a arm band( the Riverwalk was so much better you got your arm band at the tent VIP area I didn't have a problem paying for parking I was parked close walking distance to VIP entrance) lastly the staff needs to know something, like where tents are located, where the shuttles are located something more than I don't know and that was from the time we walked in the event cause we where trying to find the VIP Chandon tent. Overall the food was amazing the organization of the event planning was horrible I don't know if I will return.

Had a great experience.