April 20, 2022 | From City of New Orleans
MAYOR CANTRELL, CITY OF NEW ORLEANS PREPARE FOR FRENCH QUARTER FEST, ISSUE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORATION REMINDERS
NEW ORLEANS — Mayor LaToya Cantrell and City of New Orleans officials today announced public safety measures in place ahead of French Quarter Fest, which is expected to bring a large number of visitors to New Orleans. Residents are encouraged to prepare for heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic and to celebrate safely throughout the weekend.
More than 20 stages throughout the French Quarter will feature 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 21 through Sunday, April 24, with the French Quarter Fest Opening Day Parade on Thursday at 10 a.m., followed by the Opening Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. in Jackson Square. Additional details about festival events are available at frenchquarterfest.org.
The New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) will activate the City’s Event Command Post, staffed by representatives from public safety agencies, to monitor events. NOHSEP will also be in contact with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Louisiana State Analytical Fusion Exchange's Fusion Center to ensure public safety.
Traffic Restrictions
In anticipation of large crowds, the New Orleans Police Department will restrict traffic to ensure the safety of pedestrians. Additional intermittent street closures might be required as crowd size warrants.
From 4:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, public safety officials will screen vehicles entering the French Quarter within the perimeter of Iberville, Decatur, Dumaine and 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. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the following streets and intersections will be closed to traffic:
- Canal from Chartres to Burgundy streets
- Rampart from Iberville to St. Ann streets
- Esplanade Avenue and N. Peters Street
- Decatur Street and Dumaine Street
- Decatur Street and Conti Street
- Canal Street and N. Peters Street
French Quarter Fest Opening Day Parade
Street closures will also be in place along the route of the French Quarter Fest Opening Day Parade on the morning of Thursday, April 21. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. in the 100 block of Bourbon Street and will proceed to Jackson Square.
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 at Jackson Square
Parking Restrictions
No parking zones will be in place starting Thursday, April 21 at 12 p.m. through Monday, April 25 at 1 a.m. The no parking zones will be located on the 700 and 800 blocks on Dauphine and Royal streets, on both sides of the following streets:
- Iberville Street
- Bienville Street
- Conti Street
- St. Louis Street
- Toulouse Street
- St. Peter Street
- Orleans Avenue
- St. Ann Street
Residents and visitors are reminded to always follow posted signs. Parking enforcement personnel will be monitoring for illegal parking:
- Do not block or park within 15 feet fire hydrants, block or park within 3 feet of driveways, block sidewalks or park in fire lanes.
- Do not park in bike lanes.
- Do not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk, intersection, or stop sign.
- Call (504) 658-8100 for 24 hour parking enforcement.
Transportation Impacts
In anticipation of increased ridership during weekend events, the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) encourages riders to plan ahead and pre-purchase fare. Riders can download the RTA GoMobile app via the Apple App Store and Google Play. For up-to-date service information and more, visit the agency's website at www.norta.com or call Rideline 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, public transportation 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.
Details on special events are available at ready.nola.gov/events. Residents and visitors are also encouraged to follow NOLA Ready on social media @nolaready and sign up for emergency alerts by texting NOLAREADY to 77295.
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