About Us

Mission Statement

Our mission is to highlight our culture of music, arts, community, and foster economic growth in the community.

 Objective

The objective is to provide entertainment to the community, promote and sustain new and existing business, enhance a positive community image, while sharing the cultural and economic opportunities available in the Gentilly area.

One of the objectives of the Gentilly Fest is to produce a festival every October that will donate proceeds to various groups and organizations that will help make Gentilly a better place to live.

Strategy

Our strategy is to encourage unity through the celebration of our diversity and the community’s rich and resilient culture, while we promote our rich history, civic pride and economic growth.

 We will provide monetary support to the First Responders and other local nonprofits that serve the Gentilly community. We also contribute to organizations that provide a recreational or cultural enrichment to our children.

 Modus Operandi

The Gentilly Fest is a 501c3 organization that is committed to raising money through sponsorships, raffles, galas, silent auctions, and other fundraisers. Admission to the festival is free and open to the general public.  

 Gentilly Fest celebrates all things "Gentilly," including continuous live music on the main stage and gospel tent. Local restaurants and caterers sell sumptuous food and an Arts and Crafts area feature original works from a variety of craft merchants.

 The festival also offers free children’s activities including pony rides, a kid’s village, and a variety of practical recovery information offered by local business and non-profit organizations.

 The Gentilly Fest is governed by an elected Board of Directors and the event is administered and planned by an Executive committee of community volunteers.

 History

The Gentilly Fest began in 2008 as a way to help our community help ourselves. We realized that our first responders did not have funds to adequately equip their facilities with furniture, office supplies and other general small office equipment.    

 The goal of Gentilly Festival, Inc. was to raise funds to help support our First Responders, promote small business and raise awareness of the economic opportunities in the Gentilly area.

 The Gentilly Festival also provides an opportunity for neighbors to come together and celebrate the community’s rich and resilient culture. Many residents look forward to the event as a way of reconnecting with returning neighbors, relatives and friends.

The New Orleans police and fire personnel are always in attendance at our festivals and get an opportunity to meet people at the event and establish a friendly relationship within the community.