The Fried Chicken Festival is this weekend at the lakefront. Here’s what you need to know.
Fried chicken fans enjoy the festival. (Justen Williams, courtesy of Fried Chicken Festival)
Chicken and waffles, chicken with mac and cheese or with watermelon and feta, even a chicken topping on ice cream. There’s no end to the fried chicken variations you can find at the Fried Chicken Festival this weekend (Oct. 1-2) at the lakefront.
Traditionalists can get a breast and a wing with slaw and fries. Vegans, vegetarians and those on a gluten-free diet won’t be left out either. There are chicken and even non-chicken options for everyone. You can find the vendors and their menus here.
After a two-year pandemic hiatus, the festival is making its debut on the scenic lakefront, at Franklin Avenue. Compared to its former riverfront home in the French Quarter, the lakefront area gives the festival room to stretch out.
This event always draws crowd, and now folks can enjoy the breeze off the lake as well as the enticing smell of chicken frying. The weather promises to be sunny and pleasant, with highs in the mid-80s.
The Fried Chicken Festival is not just about the chicken. Its two stages host bands from all over Louisiana, and even from outside the state. This weekend’s musical lineup includes Mannie Fresh, the Soul Rebels, Partners-N-Crime, Amanda Shaw, Brassaholics and Flowtribe. See here or below for a full lineup.
Know before you go
Admission is $15 per day or $20 for a weekend pass. Kids 12 and under get in free. And VIP packages are available. Click here to purchase advance tickets. Tickets will also be available at the gate.
Don’t expect to pay cash, for anything. This year’s festival will be 100% cashless. The only acceptable forms of payment on-site will include credit cards, debit cards or a cash app.
Event parking will be available at theUNO Lakefront Arena, 6801 Franklin Ave. This is first come, first served and is likely to fill up fast.
More festival parking will available at the UNO Student Union parking lot, with free shuttles will run between the festival and the University of New Orleans Student Union parking at Elysian Fields.
Festival goers enjoy the music at Woldenberg Park. (Justen Williams photo, courtesy of Fried Chicken Festival)
If you’re not going
Even if you are not going to the festival this weekend, the festival is coming to Gentilly. Expect road closures and traffic delays during the event.
The city is closing some streets to accommodate the festival.
- The 3000 Block of Franklin Avenue will be closed Friday (Sept. 30) to Sunday (Oct. 2).
- Lakeshore Drive at Franklin-Shelter #4 will close Friday at 7 a.m. and remain closed until Sunday, at 10 p.m.
- Lakeshore Drive from Franklin to Elysian Fields will be closed from Saturday through Sunday during festival hours only: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
RTA routes may experience delays or detours during the event. All RTA service alerts, updates, and detours can be accessed by downloading the RTA’s GoMobile app. To learn more, visit www.norta.com or call Ride Line at 504-248-3900.
If a parked car is blocking your driveway, you can call parking enforcement at 504-658-8100.
