April 10, 2024 | From City of New Orleans
City of New Orleans Announces Public Safety Preparations for French Quarter Fest, Issues Traffic and Transportation Reminders
NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans today announced the public safety measures in place ahead of French Quarter Festival, which is expected to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to New Orleans. Residents are encouraged to prepare for heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic and to celebrate safely throughout the weekend.
"I am thrilled for the return of French Quarter Festival, the largest celebration and showcase of Louisiana music in the world,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “With more than 20 stages playing various genres of music and nearly 60 local restaurants serving up delicious classics, there is something for everyone to enjoy this weekend. Our economy is our culture, so it is vital that we invest in our local culture-bearers to keep it alive. After another safe and successful fest last year, our public safety team stands ready to keep the crowds and streets safe again this year. It takes great coordination and collaboration to host such events, and we are prepared to once again demonstrate to everyone why New Orleans is the best in the world at executing major events and festivals with a rich culture that is absolutely unmatched."
The New Orleans Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) office will activate the City’s Event Command Post that will be staffed by representatives from public safety agencies to monitor events. NOHSEP will also partner with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces and the Louisiana State Analytic and Fusion Exchange Center to ensure public safety.
After today’s severe weather, the weather is expected to improve heading into the weekend. NOHSEP will continue monitoring the weather in partnership with the National Weather Service throughout the weekend. To follow real time weather forecasts, visit weatherwise.nola.gov.
Details on special events are available at ready.nola.gov/events. Residents and visitors are also encouraged to follow @nolaready on social media and sign up for emergency alerts by texting “NOLAREADY” to 77295.
Traffic Restrictions
In anticipation of large crowds, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) will restrict traffic to ensure the safety of pedestrians. Additional intermittent street closures might be required as crowd size warrants.
From 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Bourbon Street, from Iberville to St. Ann streets, will be closed to vehicular traffic. Only emergency vehicles will be able to cross Bourbon Street. Public safety officials will screen vehicles entering the French Quarter within the perimeter of Iberville, Decatur, Dumaine and North Rampart streets. Only residents, employees, hotel guests and taxis or ride hailing services will be allowed to drive vehicles into the French Quarter. Additionally, from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the following streets and intersections will be closed to traffic:
- Rampart Street from Iberville Street to St. Ann Street
- Canal Street from Chartres Street to Burgundy Street
- Dumaine Street from Dauphine Street to Royal Street
- Decatur Street from Conti Street to Dumaine Street
- N. Peters Street at Canal Street will close intermittently as needed per traffic
French Quarter Fest Kickoff Parade
Street closures will also be in place along the route of the French Quarter Fest Opening Day Parade the morning of Thursday, April 11. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on the 200 Block of Bourbon Street and will proceed down St. Ann Street to Jackson Square for the Annual Opening Day Ceremony at the NewOrleans.com Stage powered by New Orleans & Co.
The parade will take the following route:
- Begin at Iberville Street and Bourbon Street
- Continue on Bourbon Street to St. Ann Street
- Right on St. Ann Street to Chartres Street
- Right on Chartres Street to Jackson Square
- End inside Jackson Square
Transportation Impacts
In anticipation of increased ridership during weekend events, the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) encourages riders to plan ahead and pre-purchase fares. Download the Le Pass app to plan your trip, check service alerts, purchase fares, and track your bus or streetcar in real-time. For up-to-date service information and more, visit the agency's website at www.norta.com or call Ride line (5 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily) at (504) 248-3900.
Due to heavy pedestrian and vehicular activity, the City of New Orleans recommends that residents avoid driving through the French Quarter area if not involved in festivities. Residents and festival attendees are encouraged to use rideshare (bikes and cars), public transportation (bus, streetcar and ferry) and bicycling to attend French Quarter Fest if possible.
Safety Reminders
As always during major special events, residents and visitors are encouraged to take care in large crowds and to report suspicious activity to public safety officials.
About the Festival
French Quarter Festival began in 1984 when Mayor Ernest "Dutch" Morial, the first African American mayor of New Orleans, conceived the idea of a uniquely New Orleans event that would attract both visitors and locals back to the French Quarter and stimulate a healthy business environment ahead of hosting the World's Fair in May 1984.
Today, more than 20 stages with over 270 local acts are set up throughout the French Quarter to celebrate local music and represent every genre from traditional and contemporary jazz to R&B, New Orleans funk, brass bands, folk, gospel, Latin, Zydeco, classical, cabaret and international. Events associated with French Quarter Fest will take place Thursday, April 11 through Sunday, April 14, with the French Quarter Fest Opening Day Parade on Thursday, April 11 at 10 a.m., followed by the Opening Day Ceremony held at 11 a.m. in Jackson Square. Additional details about festival events are available at frenchquarterfest.org.
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