Festival Filled Summer in the Big Easy

From Jackson Square in the historic French Quarter of New Orleans, “Big Sam” of the nationally- renowned band, Big Sam’s Funky Nation joined us on Studio10 to talk about a jam-packed summer in the Big Easy filled with family entertainment and festivals.

Here's a look at this summer's schedule of festivals:

* New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (May 22-26) An entire week of sampling New Orleans original creole and Cajun delicacies matched with the finest wines in the world.

* Vieux-To-Do, Creole Tomato Festival, Cajun Zydeco Festival (June 8-10) When these special, juicy and meaty tomatoes are harvested, New Orleans holds a special party in the oldest marketplace in America.

* Festigals (June 22-24) The second annual women’s getaway weekend, entertaining and enriching women, New Orleans style.

* Essence Festival (July 6-8) The nation’s preeminent showcase for African- American empowerment seminars and musical entertainment featuring Aretha Franklin, Fantasia, Mary J. Blige and The Pointer Sisters.

* Tales of the Cocktail (Cocktail Fest) (July 24-29) Only in New Orleans, where the cocktail was first created could there be a week-long celebration of exotic libations.

* Satchmo Summer Fest (August 2-5) Three days of outdoor concerts, music history seminars, jazz exhibits, a jazz mass, a second-line parade, and creole & Cajun food.