New Orleans' favorite sandwich gets its own block party next Sunday, when the 18th Annual Oak Street Po-Boy Festival takes over Oak Street from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with more than 100 different takes on the po-boy. The free-to-attend festival returns November 8, drawing crowds for everything from classic fried shrimp to far more adventurous fillings.
One of those adventurous options comes from Voleo's Seafood Restaurant, where chef David Volion plans to serve a lobster po-boy, according to WGNO. The station reports Volion is also preparing a rabbit and shrimp po-boy for the festival. Volion appeared on WGNO's Lunchtime Lagniappe segment alongside Whistle Monsta, described by the station as a Saints superfan and po-boy fest superfan, to talk up the event ahead of the big day.
Rabbit isn't an entirely new idea for the Lafitte seafood spot. Back in 2015, Voleo's served up a Smothered Rabbit Po-Boy for $8 at French Quarter Fest, as reported by nola.com.
Getting In the Door on Oak Street
Admission to the festival itself is free, but anyone planning to actually eat a po-boy needs a wristband, according to the official festival page. That page lists advance general-admission wristbands at $10, with day-of wristbands priced at $12 onsite only. WWOZ, however, lists advance general-admission wristbands at $8, so prospective attendees may want to confirm pricing before heading out.
For those who'd rather skip the line entirely, Fast Pass wristbands grant access to dedicated Fast Pass lines. The festival's official listing puts advance Fast Pass wristbands at $25, rising to $30 for day-of purchases onsite. WGNO's report likewise notes that advance Fast Pass wristbands cost $25 and let holders avoid waiting in line. A portion of all wristband proceeds benefits the nonprofit Son of a Saint, per the same festival listing.
Music, Art and a Day of Neighborhood History
Beyond the sandwiches, organizers have planned multiple live music stages, a VIP area, a Kids Zone, an art market and a day of history panels, according to the festival's event page. The lineup echoes past years of the event — the 2023 edition, held November 19 that year, also featured an Arts Market, Kids Zone and VIP Area, plus a po-boy competition juried by celebrity judges, per a listing on bigopops.com.
With more than 100 po-boys promised on Oak Street next Sunday, festivalgoers will have plenty to sample beyond whatever specialty sandwich grabs headlines this year. Whether it's a classic fried shrimp po-boy or something as far afield as Voleo's lobster version, the annual gathering remains one of New Orleans' most concentrated celebrations of its signature sandwich.
