Jazzfest: It's not about looking cute

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I left for Jazzfest on Friday afternoon and after several hours of flight delays, I made it to New Orleans where I met my dad and Ally at the airport.  Ally came to meet me from DC and of course she was on time so it gave her and my dad a chance to catch up sans moi.

I had always wanted to go to Jazzfest but had never been, so this was the year.  It also worked out with the plans since it let me see everyone and say goodbye to the southern contingent before my big trip!  I won't recount every second of this trip, but a few things to point out and then I'll get to the pics:

Jill and Ally at Jazzfest
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- Jazzfest is CRAZY. Yes, it's "low key," but when people said it was "laid back," I think I had something very different in my mind than the reality.  It's crazy!  It's 60,000 people per day laying out in the sun, drinking beer, eating the best food ever, listening to music and jamming.  Lots of lounging around.  But it's packed - like seas of people for as far as the eye can see - and these people mean business when it comes to having a good time and enjoying their music apparently.   I noticed how behaved everyone was though - very courteous in general and I don't think something like that could EVER exist in New York.  It was really amazing and so cool to feel a part of it.  Except I could have missed the port-o-potty portion of the event in general.

Susie ROCKING OUT to Johnny Rivers
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- The week leading up to our trip to New Orleans, I had about five conversations with Dad and Susie about "what to wear."  After several lectures on not overdressing ("it's not about looking cute, jill"), I really couldn't  appreciate the serious grime factor until after it was all over.  Of course, some people definitely showed up in heels and super cute outfits, but all in all, I was happy for the (many) warnings about wardrobe.  It's definitely not about looking cute at Jazzfest.

Jill and Ally with Watermelon Man (he's a legend at Jazzfest)
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- Best food ever --- some of our favorites: Nachitoches Meat Pie (a favorite since I was a kid), Miller Light (obvs), Frozen Cafe Au Lait, fried soft shell crab po-boy, Fried Chicken, and strawberry lemonade (with a shot of "dasani" aka smuggled in vodka).

- General consensus among our group was that the best acts we saw were: Johnny Rivers (Susie's fave), Rod Stewart, Bonnie Raiit (my & Ally's fave - she was awesome and looks amaaaaazing), Ludacris (Dad's fave), Jerry Lee Lewis and Gospel tent minus interpretive dance segment

Me in cowboy hat
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I had an awesome time and can't wait to see everyone in New York in August!!!!  Here are some pics for your viewing pleasure.  Thanks, Als!!