The City of New Orleans is bracing for a swift surge of excitement, as Taylor Swift arrives to perform three sold-out shows at the Superdome this weekend. A staggering crowd of approximately 150,000 fans, nicknamed Swifties, are expected to descend upon the city, which according to New Orleans & Co., will coincide with the already bustling Halloween festivities, as reported by Axios.
New Orleans is embracing the influx with open arms, despite the expected congestion and fully booked hotels. Collin Arnold, director of the city's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, reportedly told Axios, "This is going to be an incredibly busy week." Adding to the week's events, the city's basketball team, the Pelicans, will host their season opener against the Chicago Bulls tomorrow.
Prospective shoppers looking to grab their Taylor Swift merchandise before the shows can do so without a concert ticket tomorrow and on Thursday at Champions Square, reported WWLTV. Those with tickets to the concerts are indeed encouraged, to make purchases during these pre-show hours to avoid the rush.
Still, fans should be aware of the additional costs associated with their merchandise pilgrimage. Parking at Champions Garage on days before the concert is priced at $30, a figure that sees a significant uptick to $60 for the concert days at the Smoothie King Center, NOLA.com notes.
To commemorate Swift's impact and the eventful week, New Orleans officials have declared an official "We Love Taylor" week, virtually presenting the pop queen with a key to the city. This gesture, signifies not just the immense popularity of Swift but also a transformation from her first planned performance in the city. Back in 2008, her scheduled Family Gras show in Metairie was canceled due to rain, leading her to stay and sign autographs for two hours, as recalled by Axios, citing Rich Collins of The Times-Picayune.
Meanwhile, safety remains a priortity, with New Orleans officials reporting no specific threats against the concert series. They assure the public that they'll be working closely with federal partners throughout the weekend to ensure a smooth and secure event for everyone involved.
