New Orleans Jazz Fest Anticipation: The Importance of Hats (and Bandanas)

The fifth post in a series about the New Orleans Jazz Festival covering food (restaurants and recipes), fun, music and travel tips.

In the run-up to our Jazz Fest trip in early May, we are building anticipation by looking back at past good times in New Orleans and sharing our travel tips. So many of you have had your own wonderful experiences in New Orleans, so I’ve asked for guest bloggers and content on the Glover Gardens Cookbook Facebook page (and – it’s not too late for you to contribute).

This plea reaped a reward for me, a NOLA-experienced friend who provided worthy content in the form of pictures and home truths.  Therefore, this post is a serious discussion about The Importance of Hats at Jazz Fest.  According to my friend Nancy:

The importance of hats at Jazzfest cannot be emphasized enough! Then, of course, one finds much whimsy, and with luck, a lovely friend.

Nancy also emphasized the importance and versatility of bandanas as a Jazz Fest accessory:

I highly recommend including bandanas! I have about 7 that I bought for a dollar each at Walmart.  Very good for covering burnable décolletage or back of the neck.  Easy travel gear! So many colors!

Seriously, it can be very, very hot in New Orleans in early May, and the sun is as strong as their chicory-laden coffee and those marvelous drinks they call Hurricanes.  A hat and bandana are required for a successful Jazz Fest outing.

Resources

• Post #1 of this series, an affectionate memory of an amazing Jambalaya Pizza.
• Post #2, the official announcement of the lineup for Jazz Fest 2017
• Post #3, New Orleans Jazz Fest Anticipation: This City is a Quirky Feast for the Eyes
• Post #4, New Orleans Jazz Fest Anticipation: Bayona is a Foodie’s Delight
• Article from New Orleans Living:  Louisiana Style – Hats Off to New Orleans (photos below by Chris Granger for NOLA.com and New Orleans Times-Picayune)

The Mad Hatter

And finally, just for fun (because the New Orleans Jazz Fest and hats inspire this sort of thing):

“Take off your hat,” the King said to the Hatter.
“It isn’t mine,” said the Hatter.
“Stolen!” the King exclaimed, turning to the jury, who instantly made a memorandum of the fact.
“I keep them to sell,” the Hatter added as an explanation; “I’ve none of my own. I’m a hatter.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

Copyright 2017, Glover Gardens Cookbook