A New Orleans family created Beignet Fest in 2016. Amy and Sherwood Collins discovered through their journey with their son who was diagnosed at age three with autism that New Orleans has limited opportunities for children on the autism spectrum, so they started a festival to raise awareness and funds for local programs that serve children with special needs. You can read more about their efforts here.
Sure! You can donate to the Beignet Fest Foundation anytime here.
Beignet Fest is held at New Orleans City Park at the Festival Grounds located at 4 Friedrichs Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70124. You may park along perimeter streets and anywhere in City Park that isn’t labeled “No Parking”. Parking is limited so we strongly recommend a rideshare, or you can take the Canal Street Streetcar to the end of Esplanade Ave. and Carrollton Ave. The Festival Grounds can be found with a short walk through the park’s Big Lake area.
Handicap parking is located at the Reunion Shelter Pavilion by the main entrance to the Festival Grounds. Spaces are limited. Guests will only be allowed to park in these spaces with a proper state-issued permit. There are also ADA port-a-lets on the grounds for patrons. We are also looking to make all food vendor booths wheelchair accessible. And we are excited to offer sensory-friendly activities for guests of all abilities in the Kids Village.
The event will be held rain or shine unless there is torrential rain predicted. In this case, we will make a decision in advance to move the event to another suitable date.
Bring a credit/debit card and cash to buy things, plus strollers, blankets, chairs, sunscreen, sunglasses, and maybe a hat. No outside food or beverage is allowed on the Festival Grounds.
DO NOT BRING outside food and beverage, weapons of any kind, illegal drugs or paraphernalia, unauthorized audio/video recording equipment, or pets/live animals.
Yes, there are limited ATMS on site for use. However, we highly encourage everyone to bring cash in advance of arrival. Most booths, including all drink booths, will accept credit/debit cards along with Google/Apple Tap to Pay.
Pets are not allowed at Beignet Fest. Service animals are always welcome. Service Animals are not pets, companion animals or therapy dogs. We apply the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, which define a service animal as “one that is trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability. The task(s) performed by the animal must be directly related to the person’s disability.”
Please email sherwood@beignetfest.com
Check out all of our Beignet Fest supporters here