New Orleans is home to so much great food. On September 22 and 23, there will be a two-day event to celebrate the Louisianan specialty of fried chicken. The National Fried Chicken Fest, presented by Raising Cane’s, will take place on the banks of the Mississippi River at Woldenberg Riverfront Park. And in New Orleans, where there is food, there is music. The free festival’s music lineup was just released and boasts many big New Orleans names. This year’s performers include traditional and contemporary jazz, funk, hip-hop, classical and blues.
There will be live music on two stages throughout the park. From brass bands to orchestral performances and DJ sets, there’s bound to be something for everyone.
Saturday’s lineup includes performances from Golden Sioux Mardi Gras Indians, TK & The Right Pieces, Papo y Son Mandao, Big Easy Brawlers, Amanda Shaw, Shamarr Allen & The Underdawgs, DJ Toine Boy, DJ Lil Jodeci, DJ Stormy ATL, Soundprism and Uptown Jazz Orchestra.
Sunday’s lineup includes performances from Mannie Fresh Golden Sioux Mardi Gras Indians, Lil Glenn & Backatown, Pine Leaf Boys, The Original Pinettes Brass Band, Flow Tribe, DJ RQ Away, DJ Raj Smoove, DJ Legatron, Tetrad and Uptown Jazz Orchestra.
There will be food from over 35 vendors and food trucks nationwide in addition to cooking demonstrations, kids activities, a Chicken Tender Eating Contest and Best Fried Chicken Contest to be judged by renowned food bloggers and critics. In addition to extra crispy, double dipped, spicy, mild and extra spicy fried chicken, there will be vegan options from California’s Veganation. Dessert options include Sucre and Orleagian Snowballs.
The vendors are:
Locals
- Oceana Grill
- Rouse’s Supermarkets
- The Original Fiorella’s Cafe
- Willie’s Chicken Shack
- Belle’s Diner
- Frazier’s Connection
- Ma Momma’s House of Cornbread, Chicken & Waffles
- Frenchman Grocery
- Tiger’s Creole Kitchen
- Heard Dat Kitchen
- McHardy’s Chicken & Fixin’
- Sweet Legacy
- We Dat’s Chicken & Shrimp
- Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria
- Dunbar’s Creole Cuisine
- Bayou Hot Wings
- Blue Oak BBQ
- Sucre
Nationals
- MS – Fatty’s Cracklin’s
- KY – Pollo
- TX – Max’s Wine Dive
- TN – Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
- CA – Veganation (vegan)
Food Trucks
- Bonafried
- Crêpes à la Cart
- Old School Eats
- Diva Dawg
- Frencheeze
- Orleagian Snowballs
- AL – Eugene’s Hot Chicken
In addition to the great performances and food to appear this year, the National Fried Chicken Festival is unveiling a new music sponsorship program to keep the event free and the music playing.
What started as a small celebration of fried chicken in Lafayette Square, has quickly turned into a nationally-acclaimed event attracting tourists, vendors and musicians. The third annual National Fried Chicken Fest, presented by Raising Cane’s, will take place at Woldenberg Riverfront Park on September 22 and 23 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. General admission to the event is free. VIP tickets are available for purchase.
Guests can be sure to have a fully-immersive New Orleans experience accompanied by the rich taste, joyous sounds and beautiful views of the Big Easy.
