2015 Essence Festival Parking Instructions And Traffic Reminders

NEW ORLEANS — Today, the City of New Orleans issued traffic reminders in advance of the 2015 ESSENCE Festival to be held this weekend Thursday, July 2 – Sunday, July 5, 2015. Events will be held in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and Woldenberg Park. The festival is expected to draw more than 400,000 attendees to the downtown area throughout the weekend. The public is encouraged to be patient and prepared for heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic by making transportation arrangements accordingly.

         The New Orleans Police Department will provide traffic assistance in the Central Business District and French Quarter from Thursday, July 2 – Sunday, July 5, from 7:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. NOPD officers will provide traffic assistance for the Mercedes-Benz Superdome each night beginning at 5:00 p.m. Street closures may occur depending on the volume of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

         Parking enforcement personnel will be monitoring for illegal parking, including blocking hydrants, driveways and sidewalks, or parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk, intersection or stop signs. Motorists are also reminded to park in the direction of travel on one-way streets, and with the right wheel to the curb on two-way streets.

         In addition, RTA services, including streetcar and bus service, may be interrupted during this event. Details on any route changes are available at www.norta.com.

         In order to provide the safest possible environment for every participant attending ESSENCE Fest, there will be heightened security at all venues— Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Woldenberg Park and Mercedes-Benz Superdome. All large carrying bags and backpacks will be inspected.