Music fans old enough to have attended the first New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival 40 years ago boogied alongside those who weren't yet born when the celebration of music, food and the culture of Louisiana began.
Sunday's Jazz Fest finale paid heavy homage to music's elder statesmen. Neil Young, 63, was on stage for two hours, while Allen Toussaint, 71, preceded him, and the Neville Brothers, who range from 61 to 72, followed him.
“They're like the festival: not getting old, just better," said Jennifer Martin, 37, of Boston.
Although Jazz Fest officials didn't plan to announce this year's attendance until Monday, crowds were huge on Saturday and substantial on Sunday.
Stories of swine flu spreading across the country did not seem to deter the crowds. People packed in front of the stages and filled the tents with nary a medical mask to be seen.
“I'm not worried about the flu," said John Landry, 28, of Houston. “I am regularly taking beer. They tell you lots of fluid, right? And besides, it's antiseptic."
The economy was also apparently not a deterrent. There were long lines at the food booths throughout the event and vendors of everything from paintings to African clothing said business was good.
Sunday's Jazz Fest finale paid heavy homage to music's elder statesmen. Neil Young, 63, was on stage for two hours, while Allen Toussaint, 71, preceded him, and the Neville Brothers, who range from 61 to 72, followed him.
“They're like the festival: not getting old, just better," said Jennifer Martin, 37, of Boston.
Although Jazz Fest officials didn't plan to announce this year's attendance until Monday, crowds were huge on Saturday and substantial on Sunday.
Stories of swine flu spreading across the country did not seem to deter the crowds. People packed in front of the stages and filled the tents with nary a medical mask to be seen.
“I'm not worried about the flu," said John Landry, 28, of Houston. “I am regularly taking beer. They tell you lots of fluid, right? And besides, it's antiseptic."
The economy was also apparently not a deterrent. There were long lines at the food booths throughout the event and vendors of everything from paintings to African clothing said business was good.
