2008 Gretna Heritage Festival - Closing Day
October 6, 2008 by lisa
Filed under Around Town, Blog, Family Fun
Whew! Another festival has come to a close and it had to be the biggest one yet if the sales at the Krewe of Choctaw booth were any indication.
Thankfully, we had more volunteers this year to help out, so I was able to wander a little bit more and eat a whole bunch more…I’m holding the city of Gretna responsible for the 5 pounds that I’m sure I gained in the last three days.
Here are some of the sights and sounds of the closing day:
The crowds were unbelievable and the kids were thrilled with all of the rides and games.
Shrimp and crab alfredo from Barreca’s in the Italian Village - YUM!
Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys performed at the Riverfront Stage with the Crescent City Connection in the background.
Bonerama makes music with trombones that you have to hear to believe. I heard them for the first time when they played at the wedding reception of some friends and just loved it. Check out the video below for a sample…
At the end of the night, Montgomery Gentry closed out the festival. As I waited for the show to start, I couldn’t believe how many people were packed into the main stage area and lined up along the levee to watch.
Even though my feet hurt, my legs are tired and I don’t want to eat another shrimp for a long time, it was a well spent weekend. Same time, same place next year!
All photos and video copyright 2008. Lisa Heindel and West Bank Living. All rights reserved.
2008 Gretna Heritage Festival - Day 2
October 5, 2008 by Lisa Heindel
Filed under Around Town, Blog, Family Fun
Before I head back over to Gretna for the final day of the Heritage Festival, I thought I would share some photos from Saturday. The weather was gorgeous, the food was incredible and music was being played on 7 different stages all day and into the night.
I missed the big name acts, since I was working at the Krewe of Choctaw booth, but I did manage to take a stroll around and catch some of the local artists (who are my favorite anyway) and sample some of the dishes being put out by the other non-profit organizations. I hope they were are busy as we were - so far this weekend, we have served over 1,000 pounds of fried shrimp…not to mention the fried catfish and the crawfish pies!
Here’s a peek at some of Saturday’s events….
The crowds were amazing - I’m sure that this year is breaking all previous attendance records.
The Mardi Gras Indians paraded through the festival, following the brass band up and down the streets.
Music, music….everywhere…
And the food…you don’t have to worry about going hungry here! Here’s a sample of what we ate throughout the day. I missed getting a picture of the crawfish enchiladas, but if you go out today, be sure to get some. They were so delicious that I forgot I had a camera!
Hope to see you at the closing day of the festival today - I’ll be the girl in the West Bank Tshirt - reminding everyone what a great place this is to call home!
All photos copyright 2008, Lisa Heindel and West Bank Living.
2008 Gretna Heritage Festival - Day 1
October 4, 2008 by Lisa Heindel
Filed under Around Town, Blog, Family Fun
I just wanted to share a few photos from the first day of the 2008 Gretna Heritage Festival with you. I didn’t get a chance to see everything, but I’m heading back out today to capture some more!
Things kicked off with the West Bank’s own Chicken on the Bone on the Market Stage:
After the band finished, it was off to the Krewe of Choctaw booth for the best shrimp po-boys around.
The kids had a great time checking out all of the rides and carnival-like games.
The crowds were the largest I have EVER seen on a Friday night at the festival.
With today’s forecast including more sunshine, I’m sure that Gretna will be overflowing all day. If you get a chance, check out the booth with the sparkly fleur-de-lis and S&WB logo shirts - they are inexpensive and cute, cute, cute. Hope to see you there!
All photos copyright Lisa Heindel and West Bank Living.
2008 Gretna Heritage Festival This Weekend!
October 2, 2008 by Lisa Heindel
Filed under Around Town, Blog, Family Fun, Lagniappe
The festival is here! The festival is here!
My absolutely must attend West Bank festival is taking place this weekend in the City of Gretna and I can’t wait to get out there and hear some great music, eat some fantastic food and try to keep at least a little cash in my pocket while drooling over the beautiful arts, crafts and jewelry that fill the booths.
Starting at 4 pm on Friday, the 2008 Gretna Heritage Festival kicks off with my favorite local band Chicken on the Bone rocking the market stage. Disclosure: I’m just a little biased since my hubby is in this band! The music continues all weekend with performances by Blue Oyster Cult, Foghat, KC and the Sunshine Band and Montgomery Gentry. Loads of local musicians will be on tap as well: Allen Toussaint, Galactic, Amanda Shaw, Bucktown Allstars, Chee Weez, Dash Rip Rock (wait…I’m having a flashback) and more.
And don’t forget about all of the delicious food…I’ll be hanging out working in the Krewe of Choctaw booth, serving fried shrimp po-boys, fried catfish po-boys and crawfish pies. Non-profit organizations run all of the food booths, so stop in and see me and help support your local folks.
Where else are you going to get all of this for the low admission price of $10 per day or $25 for a weekend pass? For a music schedule and parking information visit www.gretnafest.com. If you don’t want the hassle of parking, the Canal Street ferry has free pedestrian rides to the Gretna ferry landing every hour and free shuttle buses are available at Oakwood Shopping Center and Westside Shopping Center. Of course, if you live on the West Bank in Gretna, you may be close enough to just walk on over.
I’ll be taking pictures all weekend, so watch for them to be posted here. Hopefully, I get to see more than just shrimp!
West Bank Salon to Support Breast Cancer Awareness
September 21, 2008 by Lisa Heindel
Filed under Around Town, Blog, Local businesses
I ran into my favorite local hairdresser, Alise Lavergne at Regis Salon in Oakwood Mall, last night and found out that the salon will soon be participating in a national campaign to raise funds to fight breast cancer.
On October 18, 2008, Regis Salon will be offering $15 hair cuts with all proceeds for the day being donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Can’t make it on the 18th? $15 vouchers will be available for purchase and will be good for a hair cut through the end of November.
In preparation for the event, donations of gift basket items are being accepted. The gift baskets will be raffled off throughout the day, raising even more money to help defeat a disease that has impacted too many.
For more information, appointments or to make a donation, please contact:
REGIS SALON
OAKWOOD CENTER
197 WESTBANK EXPY STE 1225
GRETNA, LA 70053
(504) 362-0274
Be sure to ask for Alise!
Copyright 2008. Lisa Heindel and West Bank Living. All rights reserved.
