The nationwide New Orleans hype noticeably dies down after the Mardi Gras season ends, but this doesn’t stop the locals from celebrating Spring in traditional ways. There are various events in the city that you can find around the nation, like farmers’ markets, flea markets, and more. In addition to these, the New Orleans area has its own novelties that turns Spring into something worth celebrating.
- March Parades
Even though parades in New Orleans are mostly associated with Mardi Gras, they still continue year round. Whether it be because civilians want to celebrate the new season or simply because people don’t want the carnival fun to end just yet, the city continues to let parades roll throughout the month of March. Some of the most notable parades have recently rolled, like the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Irish-Italian Parade. These parades, mostly located in Metairie, show that the city’s fun hasn’t run out just yet.
- Crawfish boils
Another well-loved staple of spring is crawfish season, which reaches its peak during this time of year due to the significant increase in mudbugs. Families and friends host crawfish boils together, a tradition that recurs every year. Sophomore English major Nicole Mauke lives in Harahan and has experienced crawfish boils with family for the majority of her life.
“Crawfish boils are a good way to gather with your friends and family and enjoy some of the culture. You get to enjoy not only the food but also the music, drinks, and the spring weather,” Mauke said.
- Festivals
Lastly, New Orleans hosts multiple festivals throughout the spring, which keeps excitement alive as citizens anticipate them. Some well-known festivals include Tulane’s Book Fest, the French Film Fest, and Jazz Fest. All of these festivals narrate certain aspects of New Orleans in their own way, whether it be through representing the city’s francophone roots, listening to award-winning novelists give their anecdotes, or enjoying both popular and local music.
Adriana Escobar, a mass communications sophomore, is going back to Jazz Fest for the first time in five years, and she expressed her excitement about the festival.
“I loved getting to see artists like Pitbull and J Balvin in past years; seeing those performances was so worth it! I think Jazzfest has an incredible lineup this year and I am counting the days until it starts,” Escobar said.
All of these traditions truly define what New Orleans is and how it blooms in tandem with the land, celebrating life and culture in its own unique way. Events like these are still going on, including Jazz Fest, which will take place from April 24 to May 4.
