NEW ORLEANS — The 30th edition of Essence Fest is projected to be a $300 million moneymaker for New Orleans.
It's in large part thanks to eager visitors like Daquanda Magby who made the trek from Alabama for her birthday.
"So, me and my friends, our goal is to hit as many restaurants as we can within these three or four days. So, if we can hit 50, we're hitting 50," Magby said.
For restaurant owner, Glenn Charles, it's all hands on deck for his staff at Nice Guys Nola.
"Essence Fest is second only to Mardi Gras." "Me and my wife, we love it. We get a lot of people from all over the country - all over the world really," he said.
Lala Bouie serves up food for thought as a tour guide at the Backstreet Cultural Museum in Tremé.
"You come here; You're going to learn a lot about the culture. We have Indian suits. We have baby doll suits. We have skull and bones," she said.
Bouie said the museum once held exhibits for Essence Festival in years past but with updated requirements, including vendor fees, the business has been absent from the festival in recent years.
To increase foot traffic, the Backstreet Cultural Museum ticket prices have been lowered for the festival weekend.
"For the influx of people that come into the city to see Essence Festival, we have not seen those numbers here at Backstreet Culture Museum," Bouie explained.
Bouie and the Backstreet team hope to rekindle their relationship with the Essence Fest organizers moving forward.
"We really want everybody to know the culture. New Orleans is not just coming in for the good food and the good times. We have rich cultures here. Traditions that have gone on for over 300 years."
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