The Oak Street Po-Boy Festival Announces 2018 Menu
Includes Specially-Brewed Po-Boy Lager from Urban South

New Orleans, LA – The 12th Annual Oak Street Po-Boy Festival, happening Sunday, November 11th from 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., is thrilled to announce its Po-Boy menu. Coming back to defend as the 2017 overall winner is Red Fish Grill with its’ champion BBQ Oyster Po-Boy. Vincent’s Italian Cuisine, whose “Godfather” po-boy of meatballs, Italian sausage and brisket topped with mozzarella cheese, fresh basil and red sauce is a crowd favorite and winner of the 2017 “Best Pork” entry, will also be back on Oak Street in 2018.

Returning after a two-year hiatus is Parkway Bakery and Tavern. The landmark Mid-City po-boy shop will offer two new sandwiches, including a slow roasted BBQ beef with Louisiana golden fried shrimp, torched pepper jack cheese and a Crystal and Tabasco infused aioli called “The James Brown.”

Boucherie will be making the scene in its’ trademark purple truck with a Smoked Chicken po-boy dressed with white bbq sauce, queso chihuahua, candied jalapeno, and rapin, among other menu items.

Please see full list of vendors here: https://www.pobIoyfest.com/menu/

Admission to the Po-Boy Fest remains FREE. As in 2017, anyone wishing to purchase food from a vendor will need a wristband. The wristband options are as follows:

  • $5.00 wristband, available on site at one of the eight wristband stations staffed by volunteers from Son of a Saint, a local non-profit.
  • $20.00 Fast Pass wristband, which allows holders to use the Fast Lane lines at each food vendor, vastly reducing the wait time for the popular po-boys. A limited amount of Fast Pass wristbands will be sold, available on site at the wristband stations and in advance online.
  • $99.00 VIP wristband, which includes access to the Fast Lanes AND a fully-catered balcony experience above the crowds at the Mellow Mushroom on Oak.  Here VIPs will enjoy seating and inside bathrooms; catering from Mellow Mushroom, Parkway Bakery & Tavern, and the Marriott Hotel; beer from Urban South Brewery and a specialty cocktail from Seven Three Distilling, all served by the Merry Antoinettes. VIPs will also have access to a private stage side viewing area at the Urban South Stage on Joliet Street.

Purchase VIP and Fast Passes in advance here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2018-oak-st-po-boy-fest-vip-and-fast-lane-tickets-50752734796

Special Beer
Festival sponsor Urban South Brewery has created a Po-Boy Lager for the 2018 Oak Street Po-Boy festival. PBL is a light lager brewed with pilsner malt and Mandarina Bavaria hops that give it a slight hint of citrus. PBL will available on draft and in cans at Oak Street Po-Boy Festival and at retail accounts around Oak Street.

On Friday, November 9, the Maple Leaf Bar on Oak Street kicks off the 2018 Po-Boy Festival and celebrates the launch of Po-Boy Lager with a show by Morning 40 Federation. $10.00 at the door, open to the public. Piano man Jon Cleary and His High Class 3-piece Orchestra play the early show that same night at 8:00 p.m.  https://www.mapleleafbar.com

More Music
Headlining the 2018 Po-Boy Festival on Sunday, November 11 is The George Porter Trio consisting of Terrence Houston, Michael Lemmler, and George Porter Jr. with special guests to be announced. Funk master George Porter is a New Orleans musical treasure, founding member of The Meters and a recipient of 2018 GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award. Oak street favorites The New Orleans Suspects will also perform at the festival with special guest trumpeter and vocalist Jennifer Hartswick, an original member of the Trey Anastasio Band who has performed with the Rolling Stones, Aaron Neville, Phish and many others. Full music line up here: https://www.poboyfest.com/schedule/

The SAINTS
At Noon on Po-Boy Fest Sunday, The Saints play The Cincinnati Bengals. At half-time, Po-Boy Fest organizers will hold a Who Dat parade down Oak Street. There will be a tailgate area near Cambronne St. and the game will be broadcast in various bars and restaurants along Oak Street. The parade will be lead by the black and gold-clad Tap Dat dance troupe.

Art and Poster
The 2018 Po-Boy Fest poster is an original piece of art by local artist Simon. All posters will be numbered and signed and can be purchased in two formats: one printed on 19" x 8" wood with a hand painted frame ($125.00) and a more traditional 19" x 13" printed paper poster ($25.00.) Simon’s original will be auctioned off at the festival.

An art market featuring 30 local and regional artists will take place along Leonidas Streets between Oak and Plum.

Po-Boy Fest organizers actively seek partners to sponsor a band or stage at this year’s festival. If interested, contact jared@poboyfest.com

Proceeds benefit the Oak Street Merchants, Residents and Property Owners and Son of a Saint, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which exists to enhance the lives of fatherless boys through mentorship, emotional support, development of life skills, exposure to constructive experiences and formation of positive, lasting peer-to-peer relationships.

More information can be found at https://www.poboyfest.com.

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Media contact:
Ellie Rand, ellie@ellierandpr.com 
504-343-6551