Over ten million people visited New Orleans in 2004. The city was on pace to break that record in 2005 prior to Hurricane Katrina. While it's true many residents who were displaced may never return, the citizens of the city who have returned are showing why New Orleans is America's Most Interesting City. Almost all events and festivals have since returned to the city. The two most well-known fests, the world famous Mardi Gras and local favorite "JazzFest," were never interrupted.
Mardi Gras
In 1699 French explorer Iberville made camp with his men about 60 miles south of present-day New Orleans. Iberville knew that the day, March 3, was being celebrated as a major holiday back in France, so he christened the site Point du Mardi Gras. The history of Mardi Gras perhaps has roots even deeper than France, with some historians relating it back to a pagan festival in ancient Rome. The story goes that Christian church officials realized it would be too difficult to totally divorce the newly converted Christians from their pagan ways. Instead, they directed them to conduct this festival as a precursor to the Lenten season, thereby leading to the modern climax of the festival, Fat Tuesday.
Today, people from around the world flock to New Orleans the week before the Lenten season to join the celebrating masses, masked paraders and weeklong party that ensues prior to Fat Tuesday. Unlike many other events, Mardi Gras went on as planned after Hurricane Katrina, with resourceful planning and fearless tourists.
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
Known by locals as "Jazzfest," this festival was founded in the 70s and has continued to grow in popularity to this day. Even in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, "Jazzfest" founders proved the show must go on, and the event was never interrupted. That year's event featured local musicians as well as better-known musicians such as Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. Springsteen even performed a slightly rewritten traditional song, "How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?" at the festival as a tribute to the city. "Jazzfest" is currently held during the day at the New Orleans Fairgrounds on two weekends, the last in April (from Friday through Sunday) and the first weekend in May (from Thursday through Sunday).
Other Notable Events
Southern Decadence is the celebration of gay and lesbian rights held the Sunday before Labor Day.
Essence Festival is generally scheduled for early July, celebrating R&B and Hip-Hop Music.
The Sugar Bowl is the second oldest college football bowl game, played in the Superdome just after New Years.
Sources:
http://www.neworleansonline.com/tools/factstats.html
(Accessed March 1st, 2007)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans
(Accessed March 2, 2007)
http://www.atneworleans.com/body/main.htm
(Accessed March 1st 2007)