The 2012 Gretna Heritage Festival is Friday through Sunday, October 5th – 7th in downtown Gretna, Louisiana.
Gretna Fest provides the atmosphere of a small block party, but just happens to take up all of historic downtown Gretna, Louisiana. With seven stages and nearly fifty food vendors, the Gretna Heritage Festival knows how to keep the crowds happy! Not only does the festival feature big-name rock acts (see below for the full schedule) like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Grand Funk Railroad, but the event also includes the German Beer Garden (Oktoberfest time!), the Italian Village, over 80 arts and crafts booths, and carnival rides and games.
Despite being just across the river from New Orleans, Gretna maintains a welcoming small-town charm that creates a laid-back atmosphere for this autumn festival. The Gretna Heritage Festival has been running strong for 16 years now, having featured acts like REO Speedwagon, Travis Tritt, the Beach Boys, the Doobie Brothers, the Charlie Daniels Band, Chicago, Los Lonely Boys, and Kool & the Gang.
The event poster for the 2011 Gretna Heritage Festival was designed by Christy Works-Boutte of Art by Christy. The poster serves as an homage to “Free Bird” rockers and headliners Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Get to Gretna!
Visitors and residents of New Orleans can take a free pedestrian ferry ride across the Mississippi River from the Canal Street Ferry Dock to the Gretna Ferry Landing. Festival attendees can also drive to Gretna for free parking and free shuttle rides from the parking lots to the event. While the event will take place throughout the downtown area, the Main Stage and Riverfront Stage are located directly on the Mississippi River off 1st Street.
Tickets for 2012 cost $15 for the day or $40 for the weekend (3 days). Find more info at www.gretnafest.com.
