When you run over to the beer tent at Jazz Fest to grab a can of suds, or water or a soft drink, you're not just quenching your thirst, you're helping a good local cause.
The beer tents are run by community non-profits, who keep a portion of sales and all tips given during the fest. All the people working to sell drinks are volunteers helping out their organizations.
"So what you see is just a fundraiser for kids, playing music," said David Callaway, who runs things at Beer Booth 2 between the Gentilly and Fais Do-Do stages. "Instruments and uniforms. Some expenses might go towards show design, they hire people to design their shows"
Callaway has been selling beer since 1972 -- the first year that the festival was held at the Fairgrounds. They money they raise helps local marching band buy uniforms, instruments, and travel to out-of-town competitions.
Jay Watson, running a beer tent near the Acura Stage for Alpha Phi Alpha, says they provide a lot of service to young men.
"Volunteering, mentoring, educational scholarships," he said.
Pat Blazio of Kiwanis of New Orleans East uses the money for similar program: "Our primary goal is to raise money to improve the conditions for the children in our local community."
Several of the booths are operated by various Kiwanis organizations. Tom Nagelin, in the beer booth on the track just off the Acura Stage, casts a wide net.
"We put money into the shelters where women will come with young children who are running away from bad situations. We support the food bank, we support the SPCA, we support the Louisiana Philharmonic"
While a hot, humid day will get a lot of people buying drinks, just about everyone said who's playing the nearest stage is a bigger factor. Much like any other business, it's all about location, location, location.
