This year, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival marks its 20th anniversary as one of the world’s great musical events.

The Fest is probably one of the outstanding bargains in music festivals. For under $10, Fest-goers are treated to a full day’s worth of music and Louisiana home cookin’.

To a good many New Orleanians, Jazz Fest is the second Mardi Gras—and in fact, the Fest has pretty well captured the attention of the media—though not quite to the extent of Fat Tuesday. I think...