“The French Market used to be a place everyone went on weekends,” says Boo Carre founder Amy Kirk. “I have heard many local New Orleanians say things like, ‘I used to go to the French Market with my grandmother’ or, ‘My grandfather used to sell at the French Market!’ The Market has also been a place people come to get their seasonal items like pumpkins and Christmas trees.” With Boo Carre, Kirk believes that traditions involving the French Market are reviving and drawing families back. The festival is in its third year, and this time around is on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Dutch Alley and the Farmers Market.

The fest will host two stages featuring live music. Abita Springs Opry is programming the French Market Fare Stage with live bluegrass and country music. On the Bud Light Stage – between the Farmers Market and the Flea Market – will be rock, Americana and brass/funk bands. The f estival will be fun for the kids too. “In Dutch Alley, there will be plenty of kids activities, from crafts booths to magicians, a petting zoo, plus live music and theater inside the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park,” says Kirk. “We’re thrilled to welcome back Delfeayo Marsalis Uptown Music Theatre. These talented local kids will perform excerpts from their summer production, Broadway Babies.”

Approximately 20 shops, restaurants, and farmers markets vendors will be participating in handing out candies and gifts for the trick or treaters, who will also receive a free bag to carry their goodies in. The festivities will end with the Pumpkin Procession at dusk. “A group of women from the local dance troupe, the Pussyfooters, will be carving pumpkins all day in the Farmers Market,” says Kirk. “They will stockpile the finished pumpkins into a wooden cart that we’ll bring up in a small procession to Washington Artillery Park.” There, the pumpkins will be lit with flameless candles and given to the kids who joined the procession. There will also be kettle corn, hot cider, cup cakes and more treats for sale as well as ghost stories and sing-a-longs.

Visit FrenchMarket.org for more information on the schedule of events.