Christos Eraclides and Fahad Albaijan both eat some po-boys during the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival in New Orleans on Sunday, November 11, 2018.  (Photo by Peter G. Forest)

Weekend Picks: Big Easy Con, CAC Opening Night, Po-Boy Fest

by Mary Staes | October 30, 2019

Here are our weekend picks for Nov. 1 – 3:

Fri. Nov. 1, 2019

Tammie Quintana Photography, courtesy Parkway Bakery and Tavern

What: National Sandwich Day
When: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Gallier Hall
Price: Free

Few things scream “New Orleans” louder than the iconic po’boy. For the fourth year in a row, Blue Plate Mayonnaise, Chisesi Brothers Meat Packing Co. and Leidenheimer Baking Company are partnering to celebrate National Sandwich Day by feeding the masses. The local brands are collectively spreading tradition and bringing awareness to hunger and homelessness one po’boy at a time. All are welcome to stop by and snag a po’boy in front of Gallier Hall at 545 St. Charles Ave. starting at 11 a.m. until sandwiches run out. Po’boy options will include ham, turkey and roast beef in both traditional and Cajun varieties and a specialty Cajun turkey Philly po’boy with grilled onions, peppers, provolone cheese and roast beef gravy created by Parkway Bakery and Tavern’s Justin Kennedy.  Click here for more information.

Gallier Hall
Getting there
545 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
More Info

What: Big Easy Con
When: 2 – 9 p.m.
Where: Morial Convention Center
Price: Tickets start at $30

Big Easy Con is a 3-day inclusive pop culture convention celebrating the people and one-of-a-kind spirit that make New Orleans one of the best cities in the world. Combining the excitement of the French Quarter with the passion and community of fandom, Big Easy Con will feature stars from television and movies, the biggest names in the comic industry, cosplay superstars, unique exhibits and vendors, and family-friendly programming. So get ready to experience the festive spirit of New Orleans, and geek out at Big Easy Con! Click here for more information and to buy tickets.

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Getting there
900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
More Info

Sat. Nov. 2, 2019

What: Crescent City Classic Fall 5K
When: 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: City Park
Price: $35

Held in the beginning of November, this race has multiple audiences! Serious runners can use this event as a qualifier to earn a prime starting position in the Allstate Sugar Bowl Crescent City Classic 10k (this is the ONLY opportunity to run a qualifying time at the 5k distance) and the Allstate Sugar Bowl Crescent City Fall Classic 5k encourages participation by area students. Click here for more information.

City Park
Getting there
City Park, New Orleans, LA, USA

What: Opening Night at the CAC
When: 5:30 – 9 p.m.
Where: The Contemporary Arts Center
Price: Free

This season FIVE new exhibitions will be opening at the CAC. They’ll examine the reclamation of identity, Black femininity, queer and chosen love and the 10th anniversary of New Orleans Airlift. Click here for more information.

Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans
Getting there
900 Camp St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Hours
Mon 11 AM – 5 PM
Tue Closed
Wed-Sun 11 AM – 5 PM
More Info

Sun. Nov. 3, 2019

Christos Eraclides bites into an Oysters Rockefeller po-boy from Oceana Grill during the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival in New Orleans on Sunday, November 11, 2018. (Photo by Peter G. Forest)

What: Oak Street Po-Boy Fest
When: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: Oak Street
Price: Admission is free, food prices vary

Oh, behold! Po-boy fest is here! This one day fest packs out Oak Street with dozens of delicious vendors. We hope you brought your stretchy pants! Click here to see the full menu and for more information. 

Oak Street
Getting there
Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA

What: Bloody Mary Fest
When: Noon – 4:30 p.m.
Where: The Howlin’ Wolf
Price: $35

The fest brings together more than two of the best Bloody Mary’s in the city, as well as food and drinks from K-Paul’s, Wakin’ Bakin’ the Ruby Slipper and Cafe Navarre. Click here for tickets and more information. 

The Howlin' Wolf
Getting there
907 S Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Hours
Mon-Wed 11 AM – 12 AM
Thu-Sun 11 AM – 3 AM
More Info

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Mary Staes

Mary Staes

Mary Staes is Digital Content Lead for Very Local. She works with our freelancers and crafts content for our social media platforms and website. Before Very Local, she worked with CBS affiliate WWL-TV as a web producer and weekend assignment editor for about 4 years. She has also handled broadcast coverage for 160 Marine Reserve training facilities while she served as an active duty Marine. As a native New Orleanian, she takes being "very local" to heart. She loves being intertwined with the culture and figuring out how there are less than two degrees of separation between us all, whether we're natives or not.

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