This weekend kicks off the 2013 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, known to locals simply as Jazz Fest. The seven day festival is split between April 27-29 and May 2-5.

Known for it’s extensive music lineup, the festival brings headliners Billy Joel, Maroon 5, John Mayer and Fleetwood Mac, just to name a few,  to the New Orleans Fair Grounds this year. Not to mention notable jazz greats like Pete Fountain and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band. The festival is also an opportunity for popular local artists, like Trombone Shorty and Amanda Shaw, and New Orleans high school jazz bands to perform for tourists from across the country.

Jazz Fest is more than just music, it’s an excuse to eat some of the best food South Louisiana has to offer. Fried eggplant, crawfish bread and bread pudding with any sauce you can imagine keep the festival goers full as they move from concert to concert and check out the local vendors. Crafts, clothes, jewelry and even housewares are sold by craftspeople from all over the United States. Many come back every year for the experience more than the sales.

Jazz Fest is an all day event. Families and friends get to the grounds at 11 am when the gates open and often stay until the headliner finishes at about 7 pm. If you’re like me, this is exciting because you get at least two meals and can choose from almost 100 concerts. I  went for the last time in 2011 to see Jason Mraz, but found out I really like Amos Lee too. Jazz Fest is an experience more than anything else. Just go with the flow and you’re bound to have fun.

Clearly I took this video before I came to Mizzou and understood the importance of a tripod, but here’s Jason Mraz singing “Butterfly.”