French Quarter Festival won't be kept down in 2021 — or at least it's determined to rise back up.
The annual celebration of Louisiana culture and heritage, usually held in April, is scheduled for Sept. 30 through Oct. 3 this year. Organizers made the announcement via press release Thursday afternoon.
This year's festival will look different, of course. Organizers say there will be a "modified layout" that adheres to CDC guidelines and COVID-19 restrictions.
Last year's event was canceled alongside Satchmo SummerFest in May as it became increasingly clear the pandemic would not go away anytime soon. Organizers were optimistic then about a return in April 2021, but the pandemic is worse than it's ever been, and it's unlikely enough people will be vaccinated by the spring to safely hold a gathering of hundreds of thousands of people.
In 2019, about 825,000 people attended, "with an economic impact of nearly $200 [million]." The nonprofit event hires 1,500 Louisiana musicians every year, the release says.
Copyright 2021 WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio
