So another one is in the books! With a reported half million people in attendance, this year was Essence Fest on steroids. With the extreme success of Girls Trip, thousands of women mobilized squads (many complete with matching t-shirts) and descended upon New Orleans. I would liken it to the Black Friday shopping experience- huge crowds, hectic and a bit frantic. But, when it was all said and done, my crew still managed to have a great time (as we always do!) For those who couldn’t make the trip, here are a few highlights.
All White E’rythang
One thing you can count on every summer is a good white party. White parties are a summer staple- like BBQs, hot weather and Frankie Beverly and Maze wafting through yards and parks. In this case, there were several. During the day and at night, on boats and in venues throughout downtown and the French Quarter, thousands of black folks in white. It was a sight to see.
Festival Finds
One of the great things about stopping by the convention center during Essence Fest is having the opportunity to shop a diverse collection of vendors from all over the country. Beautiful patterns and fabrics imported from Africa. Handmade accessories and crafts. Dynamic and creative Black designers and entrepreneurs… a win all the way around.
Pop Up Shops
Wandering down Canal Street, we stumbled into another great Essence Fest tradition- a pop up shop. Pop-up shops are a great way to learn about new designers, discover hair and beauty products and find unique clothes. 
Pop-ups do a great job of creating experiences for festival goers, often including live performances, giveaways and special guest appearances. Over the years, I’ve picked up great deals on make-up and even caught sightings of celebs like Teena Marie at a Carol’s Daughter pop-up.
No More Lines, Please
Wanting to get out of the crowds for a bit last night, we went out for drinks. Just like during my last visit for Mardi Gras, there are definite benefits to having friends and family from New Orleans. Teddy suggested a spot for us to check out; I trusted it would be good as he curated much of my New Orleans food crawl on my last visit. While downtown and the French Quarter were packed with tourists, we went to a low-key spot in the heart of Treme.
Treme Hideaway with its live music, outdoor grills and large outdoor patio area was a welcome change of pace after a hectic weekend.
That’s a Wrap
After all the parties, pop-ups and po’ boys, another Essence Fest has come to a close. With sold out shows and crowds everywhere, it was definitely a bit much. Most years, we expect a large turnout at Essence Fest but nothing of this size. We wondered a few times whether first timers were able to enjoy themselves in all the chaos. Do they know it isn’t usually like this? Chatting with many veterans and residents who enjoy the festival every year, many folks expressed the same sentiment, I hope the hype dies down and next year goes back to business as usual. I guess we shall see.
If you are one of the few who missed this year, not to worry. After more than twenty years, in a city as dynamic as New Orleans, you can bet that next year’s Essence Fest will bring its own unique and special charms. If you’ve never been and plan to make the trip, I’ve got a guide, packing tips and a packing list to get you ready. Here’s to the next Girls Trip!