Gretna Fest Again! Yeh! After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Gretna Heritage Festival 2022, in its 26th year will again offer 3 action-packed days for the whole family to enjoy!

Gretna Fest will be open on Oct. 7 (4 – 11 p.m.), Oct. 8 (11 a.m. – 11 p.m.) and Oct. 9 (11 a.m. – 8 p.m.) with its new look, new layout and exciting new lineup!

“Revel on the River” and notice the new logo and tagline. The outline of the new logo represents the headstock of a guitar that lends its origin to the roots of Gretna Fest as a music festival, while the meandering blue of the letter ‘T’ pays tribute to the Mississippi River on which the City of Gretna was built and stands today.                                   

Expect great music by national entertainers along with some of Louisiana’s finest and favorites; exceptional food with many cultures represented; a large selection of arts & crafts; plus fun entertainment for the kids.

With a smaller footprint this year, the festival, offering 3-stages, will again occupy a part of Historic Gretna, plus the Mississippi River batture and levee. There will be the Main Stage, the Riverfront Stage, both on the river batture and the Market Stage at the Gretna Marketplace on 4th Street and Huey P. Long Avenue.

Gretna Fest promotes and supports local businesses and organizations, the lifeline for many non-profits. The festival is produced in a collaborative effort between GEDA, Gretna Economic Development Association and the City of Gretna.                                                            

Some other changes are the ferry running, a new purchase method and the new Club Backstage.

The Gretna ferry to the New Orleans Canal Street dock will be in operation.

“Changing with the times we are going in the direction of cashless wristbands that allows for enjoying the festival while making purchases with ease,” GEDA Executive Director Kevin Avery said.  

“Adults will be excited about the new Club Backstage located in the Cultural Center for the Arts. It will feature live music, LSU and Saints game day watch parties, a full bar and much more. Children will love the new Kids’ Corner featuring games, inflatables, bungee run, train rides, face painting and more.

“General admission tickets are already available online at GretnaFest.com. Pre-sale ticket prices are $20 for a Single Day Pass with no re-entry and a new lower price of only $45 for a 3-day Weekend Pass with re-entry. General admission is free for children 12 and under. This year, all transactions and tickets will be handled with an RFID wristband. 

“Many levels of sponsorships are available. You can promote your business with the best option for you. Go to www.gretnafest.com for sponsorship information,” Avery said.  

Headliners include on Oct. 7, The “Revivalists,” Oct. 8, “John Fogarty” and Oct. 9, “The Beach Boys.” Some of the other well-known main acts are Brett Young, Irma Thomas, Herman’s Hermits, Amanda Shaw, Rockin’ Dopsie, ‘Al Lil Fats’ Jackson, Cowboy Mouth and Niko Moon, to name a few.

Be ready for enjoyment at the Italian Village, with delicious Italian foods and piped in Italian music. Enjoy the German Beer Garden, with pretzels, kraut and German beers, as well as all that the Margarita Village will have to offer. A Craft Beer area will be located at the parking lot on the corner of Huey P. Long Avenue and 2nd Street.

There will be free parking and free buses running to and from Oakwood Shopping Center. Easy parking available at the Jefferson Parish School Board parking lot on Manhattan Blvd and at the Jefferson Parish Municipal Parking Garage at Derbigny and 3rd Streets.  

Visit Gretna Heritage Festival at www.gretnafest.com or call 504.363.1552 for more information about all aspects of the festival. Follow on Facebook @GretnaHeritageFestival and Instagram @Gretna Fest.

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