And that’s a wrap on a record New Orleans Festival Season! From the lively beats of jazz to the scents of Creole tomatoes, our expert Messina Team was honored to be a part of this spring’s festival season. Let’s reflect on a few of the 2024 spring and summer festival highlights and take a sneak peek at upcoming events! Messina’s Catering and Events is a leading festival beverage management company across South Louisiana. Messina’s employees over 200+ employees annually during festival season to manage festival beverage and catering services. Andrew Messina, Director of Festival Management, leads the Messina’s team in managing approximately 13 local festivals operating beverage and catering services for Messina’s Catering and Events.
Andrew Messina, pictured with his wife- Amanda, son- George and daughter- Emily, Messina.
Andrew is Director of Operations at Messina’s Catering and Events. As a 4th generation Messina restauranteur, he has played a key role in growing the company, especially the Messina’s Festival Division, into a leading Festival Management Company in South Louisiana. He oversees all festival, catering, and concession operations, working closely with all vendors and staff.
Andrew was recognized as a One to Watch by CityBusiness and holds a degree in Tourism Management with an emphasis in Restaurant Management from the University of Southern Mississippi. With experience at MGM Beau Rivage Resort and Casino, Andrew brings a wealth of expertise to his position.
In his free time, Andrew enjoys spending time with his wife Amanda and their two children, George and Emily. He especially enjoys coaching his son’s sports teams and can be found following horseracing often as well as the Saints and Pelicans.
Andrew and Messina’s kicked off the year with Carnival’s FAMILY GRAS.
FAMILY GRAS February 2 – 4, 2024
For over 15 years, Messina’s has been the proud Beverage Management Partner for Family Gras Festival! Visit Jefferson Parish is the Parish’s official Convention & Visitors Bureau which produces Family Gras. They are a destination marketing organization responsible for promoting Jefferson Parish as a travel destination and a great place to live and work. For over 20 years they have been a proud partner in promoting tourism supporting the economic growth of Jefferson Parish.
Produced by Visit Jefferson Parish, Family Gras has grown into a beloved event for the entire family! The 2024 free festival featured Mardi Gras parades, local restaurant cuisine, local art, a kids’ court, and outdoor concerts by national artists as well as Louisiana favorites! Revelers enjoyed the 2024 artists: Amy Grant, Amanda Shaw, Cheap Trick, and Headliner Tyler Hubbard.
After the music ended, the Krewes of Excalibur, Atlas, and Madhatters rolled in front of the Family Gras site on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.
LUNDI GRAS – FEB 12, 2024
38th Annual Riverwalk Lundi Gras Festival takes place on the newly renovated Spanish Plaza
Rex is joined by the King of the Zulu and the Mayor of New Orleans turns over symbolic control to the two Carnival monarchs. Lundi Gras Festival is a vibrant celebration of food, drink and music on 3 stages. Messina’s Catering and Events is the exclusive beverage manager partner for Lundi Gras Festival.
FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL April 11- 14, 2024
President and CEO of French Quarter Festivals, Inc., Emily Madero, says that the “French Quarter Festival 2024 was a banner year, welcoming an estimated 950,000 guests and a reflection of New Orleans at its best!”
The French Quarter Festival continues to be a free festival and many patrons claim that French Quarter Festivals is their favorite festival. The festival relies on sponsor contributions as well as beverage and merchandise sales to keep the festival free to patrons. The French Quarter Festival celebrated its 41st year with perfect weather….no rain over the 4-day festival which drew record crowds. New areas, new stages and expanded music and food offerings were added this year. The festival featured 69 restaurants and chefs this year.
Messina’s Catering and Events, the exclusive Beverage Manager, for the French Quarter Festivals, Inc. is proud to celebrate our 13th year as a French Quarter Festival partner. Our company manages 56 beverage outlets across the French Quarter from the Aquarium to Esplanade Avenue. Messina’s Catering and Events assists all alcohol, sets up all beverage outlets, staffs beverage outlets working together with the coveted French Quarter Festivals, Inc. volunteers. The Messina’s setup and load-in for the Festival beverage outlets is about 3 day event for the Messina’s setup team leading up to opening day on Thursday. Specialty Cocktails this year included the Lynchburg Lemonade and the El Jimador Margarita…both were hits with the record crowds!
NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL April 25 – 28/ May 2 – 5, 2024
Jazz Fest attracts over 500,000 attendees who came to celebrate NOLA’s rich music and culture! The new 8-day format included the sold-out Rolling Stones performance headlined in weekend two. A wide array of musical genres included Jon Batiste, Foo Fighters, Chris Stapleton, the Killers, Fantasia and Queen Latifa. Over 100 Louisiana specialty food dishes were presented. The cashless festival makes service more efficient and easier for festival goers.
Messina’s Catering and Events partners with Jazz Fest for its private event Hospitality Tents and new Sky Cabanas. Messina’s, a leading New Orleans caterer, features Louisiana menus and provides bartending services for the private event spaces. Menu favorites include Boudin Balls, Alligator Sausage, BBQ Brisket, and Crawfish Pies.
The Sky Cabanas were a welcoming new addition this year! These seven private boxes are located at the Festival Stage and are the Premiere Super Premium Experience at the Fest. The raised private boxes sit perched high atop the masses below with clear sight lines to the Festival Main Stage. Messina’s featured a unique menu each day featuring a different cultural menu daily including Cajun Louisiana, English Pub Fare, Caribbean, Italian, Asian and Tex-Mex. Amenities featured in the suites include 50” TV’s, lounge furniture and music headphones allowing guests to listen to any stage performance.
CREOLE TOMATO FESTIVAL June 8-9, 2024
It was a record hot weekend but the tomatoes were ripe for bagging. Summer in Louisiana means Creole Tomato Season! The festival did not disappoint with produce vendors and food vendors showcasing their best produce and dish creations. Messina’s served up the freshest and best Bloody Mary’s in the French Quarter with its excellent customer service.
In this blog post, we are delighted to kickstart summer by recapping the New Orleans 2024 Festival season. From the French Quarter Festival to Jazz Fest, we’ve covered our experiences and details from the rich culture-filled events that these festivals offer. Thank you for joining us on our journey through the highlights of the festival season and celebrating our beloved city along the way!
Make sure to mark your calendars for Jefferson Parish’s Uncle Sam Jam, happening July 3, 2024 in Lafreniere Park.