NEW ORLEANS — In just its second year, NOLA Pickle Fest has expanded from 18 to 36 courts with over 600 athletes competing in the 5-day long festival-style tournament held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
The competitive spirit is alive and well on the courts with athletes showing up bright and early to practice their swing before their games. Lois Copeland and Amber Collins were in that number.
"I've been playing for about two and a half years and haven't looked back. It's addicting," said Copeland.
Collins chimed in and said, "I agree it's very social and great community and I think now living in the digital world is nice to be able to kind of come out and really meet people and connect."
Pickleball is the star of the show, but its supporting sidekick is the festival-style feel with food music and drinks. Everything benefits the Brees Dream Foundation, which supports cancer patients and underserved communities across the New Orleans area.
"I never thought that pickleball would be able to raise so much money for any foundation, let alone the [Brees Dream Foundation], which is such a big part of the New Orleans community. So, it's going to be it's going to be fabulous," said Eric White with JOOLA, a partnering sponsor of the festival.
The festival is held during a traditionally slow summer tourism season in New Orleans. Kelly Schultz with New Orleans and Company said Pickle Fest definitely gives the city's summer economy a bit of a boost.
Schultz said, "Having an event in the middle of August for the second consecutive year backed by the power of Drew Brees and his foundation is incredible for the city. NOLA Pickle Fest will bring in thousands of people. That means they'll be staying in our hotels, they'll be enjoying our restaurants, our museums, hopefully, our music clubs and taking tours. We like to say that New Orleans is built to host we're built to host events like this."
Players do have to pay a registration fee. Over 1,000 people are expected to attend the festival on Saturday for the celebrity match with Keegan Michael Kee and Brees.
That day admission is $10 every other day is free for spectators to attend.
The whole thing wraps up this Sunday.