Hey all! I'm a huge music lover and can't wait to attend my first Jazz Fest (although I am sorry I didn't get tickets for BOTH weekends). I've searched the cubes and have sort of picked out who I want to see. We will be there the second weekend, arriving on Thursday, staying in the FQ.

Any advice for first timers? What's the weather like, what should we pack?? Any must go to clubs to check out some great local music??? What's the best way to get to the fairgrounds? I've only been to N.O. once before, but loved every minute of it.

Thanks in advance for any help.
--Aim

Jazzfest is awesome. Its been a few years since I went, but we had the best time. I'm not sure how things may have changed since the flooding, but a few thoughts.

Hope this doesn't sound tacky...but it does tend to rain, and the fairgrounds can be very, very muddy. Wear footwear that you don't care about. It can also be very hot.
Bring something to sit on, or buy a cushion there. You need something for sitting on wet grass, or hard bleacher benches. If you carry a poncho it can double as something to sit on, and also to wear if it rains.

By far the easiest way to get to the fairgrounds is to take the shuttle. We picked it up outside the Hilton, I think. It was always entertaining too, like the morning a group was playing Purple Haze on the kazoo all the way there.

Have a great time!

All the information you will need can be found at http://www.nola.com/jazzfest/

Be prepared for heat, sun, rain, and long porta potty lines. ;-) We love JazzFest! Hope you have a great time . . . the first weekend was totally awesome!

I haven't been to JazzFest in years, but LOVE it!

It can be very hot -- be prepared. The Gospel tent offers some much-needed shade. Be sure to drink plenty of water and bring sunscreen. I don't remember them selling much sunscreen.

We like to stay until about 2 or so, then head back to the hotel, rest up, have a great dinner and hit some clubs afterwards.

Be sure to eat the crawfish bread!! It goes fast, so get in line early. One year it was so hot, I couldn't even eat! :=(

I am going for the second weekend too and can't wait! This is my fourth time - and I truly look forward to it as much as anything else all year long. Definately bring a poncho to the fest with you. The shuttle bus departs from in front of the Sheraton hotel on Canal St. and is by far the easiest way to get there. Bring an empty stomach for sure - the crawfish monica is to die for! and so is everything else

I would be careful about "overplanning" days. The best shows are often performers you have never heard of who catch your attention as you stroll around the festival. There are so many different things going on at all times - there is often (in a great way) a total overload of the senses. The sounds, smells, sights, etc... are impossible to describe. The people are all friendly, the food is amazing, and the music is beyond words.

The official jazzfest site has a message board with lots of threads like this that have great suggestions -check it out (www.nojazzfest.com) on the "ask the concierge" forum.

Enjoy the festival!

Thanks All for the the advice. I've been checking nola.com daily for good articles, inside advice, and great reviews!! I'll check the chats at nojazzfest.com.

I've got old sneakers that I'll bring (and probably end up tossing instead of bringing them back) got the poncho and the suncreen, and I'm overhydrating myself in preparation! Can't wait for the great music, the food, and the atmosphere!

The first weekend sounded great!