After investing $4 million from a Disaster Community Development Block Grant, City Park is ready to open its new 50-acre Festival Grounds. Taken together with the 25-acre Big Lake area, park users can now enjoy 75-acres that was once a golf course.
The Festival Grounds features:
Ø A one mile long 18-foot wide path for walking, jogging and biking
Ø Five sports fields, one of which is lit
Ø A two acre wetland
Ø A large reunion shelter available for rental
Ø Majestic live oak and cypress trees
Ø A state-of-the-art Fitness Zone exercise area
Ø Public restrooms!
Keeping with its name, the Festival Grounds will be the upcoming site for park festivals large and small.
The public is invited to attend the dedication and then explore the Festival Grounds. Architects from Ace Torre Design Consortium will be on hand to answer questions related to the overall design of the project. A representative from Dana Brown Landscape Architects will be at the wetland area to answer questions about the wetland. A representative from Dyna Play will be at the exercise area to explain how to use the equipment, especially the exercise equipment with hydraulics. The Fitness Zone was created with a generous gift from Gertrude and Louis Feil and the Feil Family.
After the ribbon cutting, boys from Christian Brothers School will run around the path to officially inaugurate it. The public is welcome to jog or walk with them.
WHERE: Inside the new Reunion Shelter on Friedrichs (to the right of Christian Brothers and across the street from the parking lot for Big Lake). Mayor Mitch Landrieu is a confirmed speaker.
When: Monday, December 17th at 11 a.m.
What they are saying: We know people love the 25-acre Big Lake area. Now they will be able to double their fun at the adjacent 50-acre Festival Grounds area said Bob Becker, CEO. He went on to say New Years
Resolutions are right around the corner and the Festival Grounds will provide a wonderful opportunity for folks who either want to stay or get in shape.
Fair+Grounds+2012-13Thoroughbred+Racing+Calendar
goneworleans.about.com says,
Click below to see this year’s racing schedule:
By Jim Mulvihill, Communications & Pari-Mutuel Marketing Manager
The family-friendly evening starts at 4 p.m. and features 11 Quarter Horse races, one camel race, one ostrich race and the chaotic local mascot race.
General admission is $10. Children 12 and under are free. There are no advance tickets for general admission, which must be paid at the door. General admission includes entry for live Zydeco music on the first floor of the air-conditioned Grandstand.
The Struthio Stakes for ostriches of all ages, named to honor the participants by their genus,is set for 7:10 p.m., and post time for the Dromedary Dash, named for the one-humped species of camel, is 8:40 p.m.
Fair Grounds jockeys will ride the ostriches and a roster of celebrities (to be announced) will pilot the camels. Both exotic animal races are non-wagering events.
The local mascot race, hosted by Fair Grounds’ own Gentilly Billy, will include fuzzy friends like Hugo (New Orleans Hornets), Boudreaux (New Orleans Zephyrs), Bones (New Orleans Voodoo), Monty the Lion (Hotel Monteleone), Havoc (Loyola University) and Gold Digga (Xavier University of Louisiana). Post time for the mascot race is 7:55 p.m.
The 11 Quarter Horse races will be run from 4 p.m. to 9:55 p.m., highlighted by the featured $40,000 Audubon Stakes for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares at 350 yards.
Tails & Ales Presented by Abita Beer in the Clubhouse
Also that evening, the inaugural Tails & Ales Presented by Abita Beer, a tasting featuring a variety of craft and specialty beers from around the world, will be held on the fourth and fifth floors of the Clubhouse. An exclusive VIP premium tasting with exclusive craft beers not available in the general tasting area, plus hors d’oeuvres by WOW Café & Wingery, PJ’s and City Diner, will be on the fifth floor.
Tails & Ales Presented by Abita Beer is a production of Blue Deuce Entertainment, organizers of the popular New Orleans International Beer Festival at Champions Square.
Admission for “Tails & Ales,” which includes live racing admission, is $30 in advance through Ticketmaster.com or $35 at the door. The VIP experience – which includes an exclusive “VIP Hour” with entrance before the general public from 4-5 p.m. – is $60. Discounted “Designated Driver” admission is available for $15 (General Admission) or $25 (VIP). “Tails & Ales” tickets are limited so fans are encouraged to purchase online in advance.
Private suites are available for groups by calling Fair Grounds Group Sales at (504) 948-1285.
photo and article courtesy Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/content/camel-ostrich-racing-coming-august-18-tails-ales-beer-tasting-debuts-same-night
inspired by Brenda London
In the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”, the character George Bailey is shown how things in his town might have been different had he never been born.
The quaint town of Bedford Falls gets transformed into an anything-goes commercial enterprise called Pottersville.
My wife reminded me that “It’s a Wonderful Life” here in Faubourg St. John. One can easily draw comparisons between Bedford Falls and Faubourg St. John especially when zoning issues come up.
Zoning issues are by their very nature, contentious. A developer wants variances to do what they want and the neighborhood association wants to protect the interests of the residents.
Which begs the question: What if the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association had never been born? The Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association has been around in one form or another since the 1920’s. The association was officially registered with the State of Louisiana in 1977.
In 1978, the Fair Grounds wanted to build a barn next to homes near their property. The smell alone from the barn would have negatively impacted the quality of life for those residents not to mention the runoff during rainstorms. The Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association represented the neighbors’ interests and the barn was not built. You can read all about it in the Times Picayune’s
articles below:
Click here to read the article in the June 15, 1978 issue of the Times Picayune.
Click here to read the article in the June 20, 1978 issue of the Times Picayune.
Click here to read the article in the October 31, 1978 issue of the Times Picayune.
Click here to read the article in the November 18, 1978 issue of the Times Picayune.
In 1979, the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association took issue with the parking problems associated with Jazz Fest. The fight continued for years. The result was that Faubourg St. John has a security patrol paid for by the Fair Grounds that operates 24 hours each day. While parking during Jazz Fest is still an issue, imagine what it would be like if the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association had never been born?
Click here to read the April 7, 1979 article in the Times Picayune.
Click here to read the April 20, 1979 article in the Times Picayune.
In 1980, the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association addressed a zoning issue on Esplanade Avenue.
Click here to read the December 22, 1980 article in the Times Picayune.
In 1981, the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association continued to protect its interests and the Fair Grounds agreed to provide better sanitation and security.
Click here to read the May 1, 1981 article in the Times Picayune.
In 1983, the Fair Grounds wanted night racing. If the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association had not been around we would very likely have horse racing well into the wee hours of the morning right now.
Click here to view the December 4, 1983 article in the Times Picayune.
Click here to read the December 11, 1983 article in the Times Picayune.
An April 6, 1984 article in the Times Picayune details an incident where a former Mayor of New Orleans almost came to blows with a Faubourg St. John representative over night racing at the Fair Grounds. CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE.
1984: Night Racing and Off Track Betting
January 19, 1984 article in the Times Picayune concerning night racing.
February 8, 1984 article in the Times Picayune concerning off-track betting.
February 23, 1984 articles in the Times Picayune concerning night racing.
March 6, 1984 article in the Times Picayune concerning night racing.
April 6, 1984 article in the Times Picayune concerning altercation between Mayor Dutch Morial and FSJNA representative Alvin Bordelon over night racing.
April 7, 1984 article in the Baton Rouge Advocate concerning altercation between Mayor Dutch Morial and FSJNA representative Alvin Bordelon over night racing.
April 7, 1984 article in the Mobile Register concerning altercation between Mayor Dutch Morial and FSJNA representative Alvin Bordelon over night racing.
April 9, 1984 article in the Times Picayune concerning the neighborhood celebration of the end of the racing season. The party also included a demonstration against night racing. That’s Nelson Savoie with the peace sign and Warren Guidry next to him. Warren got a permit way ahead of the start of racing season for a block party on Mystery St. for the last day of racing. This essentially blocked entry to VIPs accustomed to using the Mystery St. gate. It called attention to the disregard for the neighborhood by the Fairgrounds. Nelson’s brother Sterling, brought his band, started up, police came, the permit was declared legitimate and neighbors who had been afraid of the Fairgrounds joined the party. Nelson’s brother played music under a tent in the driveway at 1509 Mystery St. There was great media coverage. The Fairgrounds had just hired a consultant to determine why they were doing so poorly and the number one issue was public relations. The notoriety of our actions brought the Fairgrounds to the table for the first time and an ordinance was the outcome.
April 19, 1984 article in the Times Picayune concerning night racing.
May 25, 1984 editorial in the Times Picayune stating night racing is unfair to the neighborhood.
November 16, 1984 article in the Times Picayune noting changes in the racing season.
In the link below check out the 1986 article about Zack’s yogurt. It would have been located where Santa Fe restaurant is today… https://end894.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Zoning-ZacksYogurt-1986dec9.pdf
The yogurt shop was originally approved by the City but the decision was overturned in Civil District Court.
Just one year later in 1987, Whole Foods proposed making the property where Santa Fe restaurant is today into an eight car parking lot. Please visit the link below to read more about it: https://end894.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Zoning-Giovannis-1987july18.pdf
Imagine how different that area would look today if the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association had never been born.
The Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association was also busy watching out for you in 1988:
April 7, 1988 article in the Westbank News section of the Times Picayune concerning off-track betting.
April 7, 1988 article in the Metro section of the Times Picayune concerning off-track betting.
April 20, 1988 article in the Times Picayune noting resolution of issues with Faubourg St. John.“Leaders of the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association say they are pleased with the Fair Grounds’ agreement to reduce night outdoor lighting, provide free on-site parking and take other steps to avoid disrupting nearby residents.”
It’s easy to forget all the great things the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association has done through the years to prevent our “Bedford Falls” from becoming “Pottersville”.
Think about Voodoo on the Bayou, the annual fundraiser that was held each year for 25 years! And, how ’bout the association’s work to keep Faubourg St. John in the same council district as the Fair Grounds and like-minded neighborhoods?
What about all the home tours done during the 80’s and 90’s? And, what about all the abandoned cars the association has worked to get out of the neighborhood?
1992: Remember Christmas in October? Faubourg St. John neighbors painted and fixed several houses occupied by the elderly.
2008: Who could forget all the time, work, and money neighbors put into making the childrens’ play area at Stallings Playground what it is today?
Your neighborhood association has worked tirelessly for decades to keep fast-food outlets from locating here. All that is done by your neighbors who take care of things because they care. It isn’t about the money ’cause we all do this for no remuneration.
Noticed graffiti or bandit signs lately? That stuff doesn’t get removed by itself. The Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association makes it happen!
There are so many more things the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association has done for the area. What do you remember? Send it to info@fsjna.org
Bourbon Street is the classic example of “Pottersville”. It was once populated by Jazz Clubs. Would you want to live on Bourbon Street now?
Those that live in Faubourg St. John know that it much more resembles “Bedford Falls”. The Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association’s mission is to keep it that way.
below from GAMBIT
The first Street Fare Derby — a combo platter of food trucks, crafts, and quarter horse racing — came out of the gates strong today at the New Orleans Fair Grounds. The event was put on by the folks behind NolaFoodTrucks.com, who have staged similar festivals in food-truck capitol Portland, Ore., and the people behind FoodCartsPortland.com came in to see how New Orleans does it.
The trucks included BBQ n Some, The Big Cheesy, the Burrito Juke Joint, La Cocinita, Crêpes à la Cart, Empanada Intifada, Fork in the Road, Fresh Junkie, the Fry Bar, Geaux Plates, Lola Deux, Melt Down, Peace, Love + Sno-balls, Streats McGee, Woody’s Fish Tacos and Miss Linda the Yakamein Lady. Entertainment was provided by Kermit Ruffins & The Barbecue Swingers and Papa Grows Funk. There was some grousing about a cover charge and a few trucks ran out of dishes early — which seems to happen at every food festival in this city. But it was a great day to eat street food, hear some music and watch a few races. Now if the City Council can just loosen up the rules on licensing food trucks, perhaps we can have two or three times as many trucks next year …
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below from WWL 870 AM
The inaugural Street Fare Derby features the city’s tastiest traveling treats, live music and much more. The event is aimed at creating awareness for alternative dining in the area. “It’s a way to gather and celebrate New Orleans’ amazing street food,” says event organizer and NOLAfoodtrucks.com co-founder Lizzy Caston.
It will feature food from more than 15 roving restaurants, priced at $3-$4 per item. “It’s hard, sometimes, to go out and try to find all these trucks and street vendors. It can be a real treasure hunt,” Caston says. Among the treasures to be found are gourmet french fries and amazing grilled cheese sandwiches, fantastic fish tacos, gourmet street food from Latin America, and sweet and savory frozen treats like unique flavored sno-balls.
The event gives diners a chance to sample from the area’s wide and fast-growing range of street food in one location. “Having them all in one place is a way to sample some foods you might not normally be able to try that are in New Orleans and, really, doing some fun, amazing things,” says Caston.
The city’s best food trucks will be set up at the Fair Grounds from 12:30 to 6 p.m. for the afternoon of food, with music provided by Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers and Papa Grows Funk. Also, arts and crafts and kids’ attractions.
“The food is the best part, but we really believe it’s true economic development, creating small businesses in New Orleans during hard economic times. And it also brings kind of a vibrancy to the streets of New Orleans in under-served areas,” Caston says.
“It’s a fun way to celebrate some lesser known, but still some of the best, food in the City. It’s also a terrific way to show support for small independently owned businesses that are the backbone of the New Orleans economy.”
“If you’re curious about this exciting but still relatively underground culture in New Orleans and beyond, come eat on the street with us.”
For more information, click on the following link:
http://nolafoodtrucks.com/
http://www.wwl.com/Fair-Grounds-features-New-Orleans–best-eats-from-/11001880
