COUNTDOWN TO FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL’S 25^TH ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION BEGINS
Festival-goers Encouraged To Save-the-Date for Festival Fun: April 11-13, 2008

NEW ORLEANS (November 8, 2007) – With just under twenty-five weeks to go until its 25^th Anniversary, preparations are now underway for French Quarter Festival 2008, which will celebrate 25 years of showcasing the finest music, food and culture this uniquely New Orleans event has to offer. This award-winning festival is a favorite of locals and tourists alike and is the largest free music festival in the Southeast. It was recently named a Top 10 Event by New Orleans CityBusiness Newspaper and is a Top 20 Destination according to AAA and the Southeast Tourism Society. French Quarter Festival attracts approximately 425,000 fans and generates an economic impact of more than $75 million.

According to Janice Foulks, board president of French Quarter Festivals, Inc., “We were thrilled by the record-breaking attendance last year and expect an even greater turnout for our 25^th Anniversary celebration. With the return of our workshops and stages to the newly re-opened Old U.S. Mint, the return of many legendary musicians from our storied past, and the many exciting surprises in the works, it will truly be a magical and memorable celebration for the thousands of visitors who attend the festival, our generous sponsors and all the citizens of New Orleans, who have made French Quarter Festival their own.”

Over 15 stages throughout the French Quarter are scheduled to present the best music New Orleans has to offer, representing every genre from traditional and contemporary jazz to rhythm & blues and New Orleans funk, to brass bands, folk, gospel, Latin, classical and international. Many musicians that have performed over the last 25 years are being invited to return to play the 25^th Anniversary festival. Special 25^th anniversary posters, as well as commemorative t-shirts, flags and jewelry are also currently in the design phase.

More than 65 food and beverage booths located in Jackson Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint will feature authentic local cuisine from the area’s finest restaurants including newcomers, Jacques-Imo’s and Antoine’s.

Festival-goers may also participate in other activities throughout the three-day weekend and are encouraged to submit Festival stories, photos and/or video from the past 25 years online to fqf25@fqfi.org or to FQFI, 400 N. Peters Street, New Orleans, La., 70130. Select photos could be chosen to appear in the 25^th anniversary program or in other promotional media.

The 25^th Anniversary of French Quarter Festival is being produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc., (FQFI) the 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, which also produces Satchmo SummerFest in August and Christmas New Orleans Style in December.

For more information on FQF25, call 504-522-5730 or visit online at www.fqfi.org.

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