When the French Quarter Festival debuted in 1984, it was easy to take in the entire scope of the event. One simply headed to Jackson Square to munch on the array of food at the proclaimed “World’s Largest Jazz Brunch” while listening to the likes of Al Belletto’s Big Band. A short stroll away, some of the city’s best traditional jazz bands took their spots on small stages along Bourbon Street. Even the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra found a home on Bourbon.

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