Looks Like Essence Festival May Not Happen This Year

Each summer, New Orleans sees an influx of visitors as it hosts the Essence Festival. However, that just may not be the case this year.

It is reported that New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said "she does not expect any large events to take place in the city for the remainder of 2020." Source.

So, what does this mean for those who attend each year and automatically book rooms for the next year? Hopefully, rooms can be cancelled.

Just as some cities and states are looking into plans of returning to normal, it appears that New Orleans simply isn't ready, which isn't hard to understand as the city has seen 5,769 cases of coronavirus with over 1,000 deaths statewide.

However, the governor says Louisiana seems to be turning around in terms of COVID-19, but it's important not to revert too quickly.

For cities like New Orleans, where social gatherings are key to tourism thus the local economy, such guidelines are disheartening yet necessary.

And it's truly hard to celebrate the essence of one's heritage while a disease is ravaging said community disproportionately.

Hopefully, all is not lost. It would be great if Essence could put on a virtual production, with subscription packages, and gain a whole new following from people who've never attended the festival. Of course, there's nothing quite like being in the middle of the action, but it's important to see the possibilities in the middle of a storm.