Field Report: 2024 NOLA River Fest’s Gathering of Po Boy Royalty

Justin Kennedy of Parkway Bakery and Tavern puts the finishing touches on a po boy at NOLA River Fest

When I heard Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser was going to appear in New Orleans at the US Mint to deliver a proclamation stating that Blue Plate mayonnaise is the official mayonnaise of po boys in the known universe I made a dead run straight to the French Quarter.

Egg Yolk Jubilee blasting their horns as baby doll Paula struts her stuff at NOLA River Fest

An orator of unquestioned prowess, could Nungesser top Huey P. Long’s fabled ‘Every Man A King’ speech delivered in February 1934?

Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser firmly stating the importance of Blue Plate mayonnaise in the proper construction of a New Orleans po boy

Sadly Nungesser was unable to attend but he did deliver a discourse on the importance of Blue Plate via the magic of a large screen TV set. Did it bring to mind 19th century firebrand William Jennings Bryan’s mythic addresses? No, but the assembled throng was captivated nonetheless.

Entering the grounds of the US Mint. In the firmament of southern mayonnaise Blue Plate stands alone in longevity.

The 2024 edition of NOLA River Fest is in the books. New Orleans po boy royalty was well represented with Chesesi Brothers, Blue Plate Mayonnaise, Leidenheimer Baking Company and Parkway Bakery and Tavern all sending grandees to the affair.

Somewhere up above surely Clarence Scheeler of Clarence & Lefty’s was smiling down on the attending masses.

This is what we saw: