Southern Decadence Reaches Over $1 Billion Economic Impact on the Community & New Orleans
The 41st Southern Decadence celebration of Gay Life, Music & Culture heralds in the end of summer with a huge economic impact for the community and New Orleans over Labor Day Weekend, August 29th through September 1st this year. While over 135,000 participants with an economic impact of $160 million or better is expected, since 1996 the celebration has had a 1 billion, 117 million dollar economic impact. The Official Website of Southern Decadence, www.SouthernDecadence.COM, was launched in 1996, the only website on Southern Decadence at the time, and has been keeping records on the estimated crowds which now total 1 billion, 142 thousand, as well as the projected economic impact each year.
These astounding figures came to light as Ambush Mag Publisher/Editor Rip Naquin-Delain, prepared for a recent television program interview. Ambush produces the Internet domain, while often Naquin-Delain is questioned on everything pertaining to Southern Decadence from media and individual requests received from around the world. He feels it is the duty of both Ambush and www.SouthernDecadence.COM to promote and maintain this wonderful tradition, while helping the GLBT community and New Orleans prosper and succeed from Decadence’s international growth.
Southern Decadence led by SDGMs 38 Pat McArdle & TJ Conard
Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XXXVIII Pat McArdle and TJ Conard have set the tone for the 41st Southern Decadence celebration of Gay Life, Music & Culture.
The theme is Peace, Hope & Love = Monkey Dance, while the colors are white, purple and silver. Starships by Nicki Minaj is the official song and Belle Reve was chosen as the charity with a goal of raising $10,000.
This year’s colorful poster is the results of a Grey Cross Studios’ photo shoot, with Studio 11’s Jessie Matthew Elliot credited with graphic art and design, as well as original art by Jacey Frew.
Southern Decadence Reaches Over $1 Billion Economic Impact on the Community & New Orleans
The 41st Southern Decadence celebration of Gay Life, Music & Culture heralds in the end of summer with a huge economic impact for the community and New Orleans over Labor Day Weekend, August 29th through September 1st this year. While over 135,000 participants with an economic impact of $160 million or better is expected, since 1996 the celebration has had a 1 billion, 117 million dollar economic impact. The Official Website of Southern Decadence, www.SouthernDecadence.COM, was launched in 1996, the only website on Southern Decadence at the time, and has been keeping records on the estimated crowds which now total 1 billion, 142 thousand, as well as the projected economic impact each year.
These astounding figures came to light as Ambush Mag Publisher/Editor Rip Naquin-Delain, prepared for a recent television program interview. Ambush produces the Internet domain, while often Naquin-Delain is questioned on everything pertaining to Southern Decadence from media and individual requests received from around the world. He feels it is the duty of both Ambush and www.SouthernDecadence.COM to promote and maintain this wonderful tradition, while helping the GLBT community and New Orleans prosper and succeed from Decadence’s international growth.
Southern Decadence led by SDGMs 38 Pat McArdle & TJ Conard
Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XXXVIII Pat McArdle and TJ Conard have set the tone for the 41st Southern Decadence celebration of Gay Life, Music & Culture.
The theme is Peace, Hope & Love = Monkey Dance, while the colors are white, purple and silver. Starships by Nicki Minaj is the official song and Belle Reve was chosen as the charity with a goal of raising $10,000.
This year’s colorful poster is the results of a Grey Cross Studios’ photo shoot, with Studio 11’s Jessie Matthew Elliot credited with graphic art and design, as well as original art by Jacey Frew.
The official sponsors include www.AmbushMag.COM, www.SouthernDecadence.COM, Quartermaster Deli, Harrah’s, Scoots, Absolut, Bud Light, QT Pie, Panda Bear, Bayou Beau, Fifi Mahoney’s, Rathbone Mansions, and Grey Cross Studios.
Longest Running Southern Decadence Events FREE for All!
Yes, it is true, the longest running Southern Decadence events are free for all to attend, well, those of legal age anyway. Many visitors are under the impression that you must have a Southern Decadence VIP Pass to attend all of the Southern Decadence events. That is incorrect, there is no such all access Southern Decadence VIP Pass.
However, three clubs do issue Southern Decadence VIP Passes including Oz, Bourbon Pub Parade, and The Corner Pocket that allows you entry into that particular club’s events, which you may very well wish to attend.
The longest running free Southern Decadence events include:
Official Southern Decadence Grand Marshals’ Drag Show on Friday, August 31st, 10pm, at Home of Southern Decadence, Tubby’s Golden Lantern, 1239 Royal Street, featuring Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XXXVIII Pat McArdle and TJ Conard with former SDGMs and many others.
9th Bourbon Street Extravaganza on Saturday, September 1st, 5pm, presented by Napoleon’s Itch is the huge live free concert featuring big stars on the circuit plus many surprises attracting thousands to the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann Streets.
38th Official Southern Decadence Parade celebrating the 41st Southern Decadence led by Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XXXVIII Pat McArdle and TJ Conard on Sunday, Sept. 2nd, 2pm sharp, beginning at the Home of Southern Decadence, Tubby’s Golden Lantern, 1239 Royal Street. This walking parade is open for anyone to participate in, which is a glorified street march/bar crawl stopping at many of New Orleans famous gay bars.
19th Official Southern Decadence Bead Toss also on Sunday, 4-4:30ish pm at the Ambush Mansion balcony, 828 Bourbon Street. Hosted by Southern Decadence Susan Lucci’s Rip and Marsha, and sponsored by Ambush Mag and SouthernDecadence.COM, the bead toss brings SDGMs XXXVIII Pat McArdle and TJ Conard following the parade out onto the famous Bourbon Street balcony to toss thousands of throws to the crowds below.
15th Southern Decadence Survivors Outer Loop Bar Crawl on Monday, September 3rd, 2pm, led by Cruise Director – Ted Mahaffy direct from Chicago, honoring SDGMs XXXVIII Pat McArdle and TJ Conard, begins with snacks at The Corner Pocket, then to The Double Play, Le Roundup, Society Page, 700 Club, Ninth Circle, Voodoo, ending with a BBQ @ Michael’s On The Park.
There are many other events at clubs and venues across the city which are currently listed with more to come before Labor Day weekend. For the complete events list, visit www.SouthernDecadence.COM, and Like www.Facebook.COM/SouthernDecadenceNOLA.
