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After Stormy Weather, Jazz Fest 2017 Ends On A Sunny Note

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival wrapped up Sunday. As WWNO's Jessica Rosgaard reports, the perfect weather THIS weekend made for a busy close, despite a rainy, slow opener.

"Coors Lite?" "We got that!"

Warm weather meant strong sales at the Zulu Diamond Cutters beer tent, where volunteers thanked generosity, shouting, "Tip, tip! Hooray!"

Johnny Jackson said sales were looking good. "I think that this is gonna be a banner year, you know, for us, even though we had one day that really stormed us out."

The festival beer and soda booth is the biggest fundraiser for the non-profit Diamond Cutters - one of the premier Krewes of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club. Jackson, the Krewe Captain, says the money raised goes towards Mardi Gras costs and charity events throughout the year.

"We have the Zulu picnic that we do, we do the Toys for Tots, we give toys away for Christmas - there's just so many events that we participate in," Johnson said. "So we're not just a Mardi Gras Krewe once a year, I mean, we go year round."

Festival headliners Stevie Wonder and Dave Matthews drew large crowds for the popular second weekend, while hometown favorites Trombone Shorty and The Meters closed out the final day.

Trombone Shorty thrilled the crowd as he jumped down from the Acura stage, dancing and crowd surfing for his encore. As people streamed for the gates they snatched up snacks from food vendors at discount prices - one final taste of the Fest, until 2018.

Eddie, a Jazz Fest regular, leads a Second Line in the Economy Hall tent.
Jessica Rosgaard / WWNO
/
WWNO
Eddie, a Jazz Fest regular, leads a Second Line in the Economy Hall tent.
Festival attendees dance to zydeco music at the Fais Do Do stage.
Jessica Rosgaard / WWNO
/
WWNO
Festival attendees dance to zydeco music at the Fais Do Do stage.

Copyright 2017 WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio