Yes, something else culturally enriching was going on in the city during the recent, whirlwind ESSENCE Festival weekend. It was an inspiring, informative and riveting voyage, courtesy of the National Park Foundation, who invited media and guests to enjoy an exclusive, spirited hourlong journey aboard the Creole Queen on Saturday, July 7th.
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Whitney Mitchell speaks during a panel discussion at the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend. on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Fitz Henley speaks at the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Rue Mapp speaks at the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Fitz Henley (L) and Rue Mapp attend the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Whitney Mitchell speaks at the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: A living history demonstration at the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event at Chalmette Battlefield during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Guests attend the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event at Chalmette Battlefield during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Guests attend the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event at Chalmette Battlefield during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Kevin Ross performs during the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Fitz Henley poses for a photo at the Chalmette Monument at the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event at Chalmette Battlefield during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Guests attend the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event at Chalmette Battlefield during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Fitz Henley, Rue Mapp and Whitney Mitchell attend the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: (L-R) Rue Mapp, Whitney Mitchell, Fitz Henley, Bernita Hightower, Steve Hightower, Dr. Turkiya Lowe, Kevin Ross and Tara Morrison attend the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Guests attend the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: A guest participates in a tignon tying activity at the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event at Chalmette Battlefield during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Kevin Ross performs during the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: A guest participates in a tignon tying activity at the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event at Chalmette Battlefield during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: A guest participates in a tignon tying activity at the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event at Chalmette Battlefield during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Kevin Ross (L) and Steve Hightower attend the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Guests attend the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event at Chalmette Battlefield during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Guests attend the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Fitz Henley poses for a photo at the Chalmette Monument at the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event at Chalmette Battlefield during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Kevin Ross performs during the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: The National Park Service's Arrowhead Jazz Band performs at the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Guests attend the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Fitz Henley (L) and Kevin Ross attend the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: (L-R) National Park Service Ranger Angela Rathle, Steve Hightower, Bernita Hightower, Fitz Henley, National Park Service Superintendent Tara Morrison, Kevin Ross, National Park Service Chief Historian Dr. Turkiya Lowe, Outdoor Afro Founder & CEO Rue Mapp, National Park Service Superintendent Andy Ferrell and National Park Foundation Representative Alanna Sobel attend the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/ Encuenta Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: A living history demonstration at the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event at Chalmette Battlefield during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07:National Park Service Ranger Angela Rathle, Kevin Ross and National Park Service Superintendent Andy Ferrell attend the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: A living history demonstration at the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event at Chalmette Battlefield during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Guests board the Creole Queen during the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07:(L-R) Fitz Henley, Rue Mapp, Whitney Mitchell, Dr. Turkiya Lowe and Tara Morrison engage in a panel discussion at the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend.on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Kevin Ross performs during the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: A living history demonstration at the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event at Chalmette Battlefield during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Guests attend the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Kevin Ross performs during the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Fitz Henley attends the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event at Chalmette Battlefield during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Fitz Henley attends the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07: Guests attend the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 07:(L-R) Fitz Henley, Rue Mapp, Whitney Mitchell, Dr. Turkiya Lowe and Tara Morrison engage in a panel discussion at the National Park Foundation's Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque event aboard the Creole Queen during Essence Festival weekend.on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for National Park Foundation)
As part of the #FindYourPark/EncuentraTuParque movement, the exclusive morning tour featured a jazz flavored, ranger-narrated brunch ride sailing to the historic Chalmette Battlefield at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. One of the afternoon’s many special highlights, after sharing nuances about the diverse culture and heritage of the Crescent City, was a black travel panel discussion featuring an array of travel influencers and National Park Service leadership. Among them were Fitz Henley, travel expert and host of “The Journeyman”; Dr. Turkiya Lowe, chief historian for the National Park Service, Rue Mapp, founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro, Whitney Mitchell of @twomacks and a Find Your Park Expedition alumna and Tara Morrison, National Park Service superintendent for National Capital Parks-East.
Guests were treated to the rangers’ oral histories of the Battle of New Orleans, the service and interment of U.S. Colored Soldiers and Buffalo Soldiers and even the story of the freedpeople’s community of Fazendeville, punctuated with colorful, engaging demonstrations of tignon tying, musket firing and a very welcoming snowball stand for good measure.
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