Sitting on the levee facing the Mississippi riverfront downtown, it’s one of those beautiful days Baton Rouge sees just a few times a year, with clear skies and the sun at its peak. With a snowball in hand, you hear the sweet sounds of a trumpet and saxophone blend together to create a smooth, funky tune.
This was my experience Saturday, March 18 at the first annual Bloom Music and Arts Festival.
It may be difficult to imagine the above scene occurring in Baton Rouge. However, Bloom offered residents a wide variety of local musicians with genres ranging from hip-hop, funk, rock and EDM.
With a vibe resembling a hipper French Quarter Festival, festival-goers listened to music, tried food from local vendors and shopped the booths manned by local makers for anything from handmade necklaces to a colorful portrait of Kanye West.
As the Levee Plaza didn’t appear on Google Maps and me being directionally impaired, I was somewhat nervous about finding the fest. Luckily, as I drove through downtown Baton Rouge I was quickly greeted with incredible live music. After finding a parking spot, I joined other attendees ranging from toddlers with their parents to college students. As the evening continued, more and more people flooded in to enjoy the fun atmosphere.
Sure, you could’ve celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by hanging around the city’s various bars, but Bloom Fest offered a type of spirit and spunk you can only get from a local event. While the Levee Plaza saw a moderate turnout, I would consider the crowd size successful considering the festival is only in its first year.
Appealing to a younger demographic, the festival showcased modern forms of art, like graffiti paintings, exotic jewelry and music ranging from hip-hop to EDM. However, the fest did it in such a way, that people still got the authentic festival vibe.
What makes Louisiana festivals like the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, and French Quarter Festival is that it’s not just about the music — the atmosphere is what makes the festival experience memorable. You’re in the heart of the city, and there’s no telling what you’ll see or who you’ll meet. The New Orleans festivals are so popular because of the culture they celebrate, and Bloom exemplified the essence of Baton Rouge wonderfully, offering a new way to see the city.
