New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell held a press conference yesterday (Tuesday April 14), and made her views known about some of the huge festivals that had to be cancelled or postponed this year due to coronavirus concerns. She said she is recommended that Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest, and Essence Fest all be scrapped until 2021.

According to WWL TV she said "My recommendation is absolutely no large events such as French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest, even Essence Festival (in 2020). The focus should shift to 2021." Although no firm dates have been set for some of the bigger festivals, she stopped short of saying that she would refuse permits if festival organizers decided to go ahead with plans for fall.

Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest and Essence Fest all bring hundreds of thousands of people in from all across the country, and millions of dollars dropped into the economy. New Orleans is already potentially facing a $150 million dollar deficit for businesses just this year because of the massive closures due to the pandemic. Watch Cantrell's press conference below.

 

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