In 1984, then-mayor Dutch Morial organized a little event that was supposed to draw locals back to the French Quarter, since the streets and sidewalks had been torn up in preparation for the World’s Fair. It consisted of a stage with a little trad jazz and a parade. That event has blossomed over the past 30 years into the gargantuan French Quarter Festival, which now draws tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world.

Disclosure: I’ve been on the French Quarter Festival board for about 13 years, so I’m predisposed to say good things about it; but it hasn’t been an easy transition from a small festival on the riverfront to the massive takeover of the Quarter that goes on today.

French Quarter Festival has grown into 22 stages of music, and the best part about it is that it features all local musicians [and one stage for locally-inspired international groups]. Now, we know that the Jazz Fest focuses on local musicians too, but it’s had to reach out to more national acts to keep its ticket sales booming and sponsors happy. French Quarter Fest is a free festival, and presents local musicians.

Our previous editor was rather bored by the event because he could go and listen to these bands any night of the week. Too provincial. Nothing new and different. Personally, I think that experiencing local bands in a setting that showcases them within the context of a large festival is exciting. There are locals there who don’t get to experience our great local musicians but once a year. I think more and more of them are flocking to French Quarter Fest because it is, in fact, free.

Now, I’m not dissing Jazz Fest, which has its own community vibe and is so ingrained in the consciousness of New Orleans music lovers that no other festival will ever take its place. But I think it might be losing locals, because it’s been getting more expensive to attend.

French Quarter Festival is still free and more organized than it was 13 years ago. There’s a lot more music; musicians and bands are being paid (except for union members, they weren’t up until last year); the festival has expanded (and is still growing—I’d like to see a couple of stages in Armstrong Park and a shuttle that goes around the Quarter); food vendors have increased; there are two major sponsors now, including Capital One Bank and title sponsor Chevron USA.

One of the best things French Quarter Fest is doing this year, however, is to donate its gala proceeds to the Roots of Music; on this month’s cover (read the story on page 64). Congratulations to FQFI, its sponsors and staff, volunteers, vendors and, of course, the musicians, for making this a very happy 30th birthday celebration. May it last another 30 years.