Photo by Stu Spivak via Flickr.

New Festival Alert: Marley Gras to Celebrate Jerk Chicken, Bob Marley in New Orleans

Move over Fried Chicken Fest, there’s a new new chicken festival in town.

15822814_1803302609910264_2564617311882730775_nThe people behind NOLA Caribbean Festival have announced their plans to celebrate reggae legend Bob Marley’s birthday with the Marley Gras Jerk Chicken Festival on Saturday, February 11. The party will go down at NOLA Caribbean Festival’s new Central City BBQ compound, which is located at 1201 South Rampart St.

Much like Bob Marley, jerk chicken is native to the Caribbean island nation of Jamaica. Marley Gras will blend the country’s rich culture with the rich culture of New Orleans, bringing nationally touring reggae acts and DJs together with New Orleans brass bands (who will perform brass covers of Marley’s hits).

Of course, there will be plenty of food at the gathering as well. Various restaurants and food trucks will be on site serving up creative takes on jerk chicken, along with other Caribbean dishes, New Orleans staples and Caribbean drinks.

The festival will also host New Orleans’ first-ever Scotch Bonnet pepper eating contest, plus a jerk chicken competition with local celebrity judges.

Tickets for Marley Gras are on sale now for $10, and organizers expect the event to sell out.