If you are in New O
opens IMAGE file rleans the 3rd week of May, you won’t want to miss the annual opens in a new windowMid-City Bayou Booga-loo! This event was started 10 years ago by the Mothership Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging social change and improving the quality of life for Louisiana residents through the promotion of arts, culture and recreation. The Booga-loo is a main fund-raising event for the foundation, which uses the profits from the festival to plant Southern Live Oak trees in the city that were lost to Hurricane Katrina. This worthy endeavor is made even more special by it’s location in the Mid-City neighborhood, in which 1896 O’Malley House is located, making it very convenient for our guests to attend!
The Booga-loo will run Friday the 15th from 5pm to 9 pm, Saturday the 16th from 11am to 9pm, and Sunday the 17th from 11am to 8:30pm. The festivities start on Friday evening with three different music stages presenting six different acts.
On Saturday morning, the Zulu-Bayou Boogaloo 5K Run starts at the intersection of Broad and Poydras at 8:30am and finishes at the Festival. The 1/2 mile fun walk takes place within the Festival grounds. The winner of the 5K gets to ride on the world famous Zulu Parade on Mardi Gras Day! Now that is a worthy prize!
From 8:45am to 2pm on Saturday, take part in the 2015 MCVG Bayou Boogaloo Bicycle Pub Crawl for a donation of only $20 and visit six bars, finishing at the festival. What a way to start the day!
At the festival, you will be amazed at the sheer number of musical acts, performing on two stages. There is a wonderful Kid’s Tent, with tons of great activities for the littles. You can spend hours browsing the Arts Market, where dozens of artists will be displaying their wares.
Of course there will be food! Did you even have to ask? Several purveyors of fine festival eats will be available, including jambalaya, alligator, Po’ Boys, BBQ, Brats, even vegetarian delights – you won’t walk away hungry!
The Boogaloo is a free event, but to make it extra-special, you can purchase opens in a new windowVIP tickets, which involve side-stage viewing, air-conditioned restrooms, cooking demos, shady seating, food and a private bar.
Parking for the festival is the not-fun part. Leave your car with us and feel free to take advantage of NOLA’s excellent bus system, bike, walk (it’s less than a mile from the inn!), or ride a streetcar. The festival is held on the banks of Bayou St. John, official address is 500 N. Jefferson Davis Parkway. The Art Market is across Orleans Avenue from the festival.
No matter how you get there, you will enjoy this uniquely NOLA festival!