Central City Festival

For a eleventh year running, the Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard Merchants & Business Association hosts this festival to celebrate Central City's tremendous revitalization. All the new business openings and expansion of cultural anchors, such as the Southern Food and Beverage Museum and the New Orleans Jazz Marketplace, have made the neighborhood one of the city's most vibrant. This year, the 1600 and 1700 blocks of Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard will be thumping to the rhythms of a wide range of music: New Orleans bounce, second line, contemporary, gospel, and more. Also there will be arts & crafts vendors, local food trucks and popular food vendors, and various nonprofits and health organizations providing information and services. As always, there will be activities for children, including the annual youth dance contest where cash prizes are awarded. 11 am–6 pm. Free and open to all. ochaleyblvd.org.