Another eventful weekend in New Orleans.
Smokin' hot music and furry friends take center stage.
Saturday brings back the Marley Gras Jerk Chicken Festival for its third year at Central City BBQ, at 1201 South Rampart St.
"It's a funky fusion of Jamaican culinary and musical traditions with New Orleans Carnival," says festival director, Joel Hitchcock. "So, we've got reggae bouncing brass, also sorts of chicken Caribbean dishes as well as New Orleans Creole dishes and a lot of fusion."
"There's 17 different food vendors, and each vendor has between four and six different items."
And, of course, lots of great music...20 acts on two stages, from 1 to 9 p.m.
"We've got some phenomenal local bands, two different Mardi Gras Indian tribes, some national acts, international acts and triple-platinum reggae artist, Ray Vaughn," says Hitchcock.
"It's the party where pets bring their people. And it's a free event," says Program Director, Jacob Stroman. "You'll see thousands of pets with their owners. It's a beautiful sight to see that many companion animals with their people out there."
There'll be live entertainment, animal activities, a costume contest and raffle.
"We've got beautiful food from 12-plus food vendors, awesome giveaways and samples from 70-plus vendors."
There'll also be a mega Adopt-A-Thon, with more than 40 shelter and rescue groups offering hundreds of adoptable pets.
"Not just dogs," says Stroman." There's bunnies, and little critters, as well, all for adoption...probably over 400 animals up for adoption."
Attendees will also find a Pet Health Watch area, and Pet Marketplace.
Feb 9The Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, rolls Saturday at 7 p.m. The parade takes place entirely in the Marigny. This year's theme, Space Farce, is doubtlessly a tongue in cheek reference to President Trump's plan to institute a new military branch, the Space Force. Overlord Brooke Ethridge says Chewbacchus fans should expect the appearance of a float featuring an 8-foot flying saucer hovering over a miniature New Orleans cityscape. The purpose of the UFO, she said, is to replace the Crescent City's anachronistic monuments with statues of Chewbacchus. https://chewbacchus.org/
Feb 9Lakeview's one and only parade is this weekend! Come celebrate the Scout parade on Sat., Feb 9th at 1:00 PM! Their route begins at Edward Hynes School, goes to Francesca by Katie's, and turns back to Edward Hynes School! #livelakeviewhttps://bit.ly/2HPMC0H
Feb 9Second annual St. Bernard Cook-off for the Coast, Saturday, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Docville Farm (5124 E Saint Bernard Hwy, Violet, La. 70092). Cook teams will prepare dishes of wild game from Louisiana's coastal wetlands, which attendees can enjoy. Proceeds will benefit the St. Bernard Parish 4-H's and Nunez Community College's work on coastal restoration. Admission is free. https://www.facebook.com/CookoffForTheCoast
Feb 8-10Tet Fest: Vietnamese New YearLocation: Mary Queen of Vietnam ChurchAddress: 14011 Dwyer Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70129Admission: Freehttps://maryqueenvn.org/
Feb 9-10The 2019 Humana Rock ‘n' Roll New Orleans Marathon & 1/2 Marathon is the 10th year of running in the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series. With a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon, there are distances for everyone. https://www.runrocknroll.com/en/events/new-orleans
