NEW ORLEANS – Local nonprofit Citizens Organization for Police Support 2 (COPS 2) announced it will hold its annual festival, rebranded as NOLA Cochon de Lait Festival, on Saturday, Oct. 21, at Palmer Park, at S. Claiborne and S. Carrollton avenues, from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Proceeds, and all beverage sales, will benefit COPS 2, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the working lives of police officers in the Second District of New Orleans.
“We are thrilled with our new festival concept, NOLA Cochon de Lait Festival, that celebrates the South’s obsession with smoked pork and all its fixings,” said festival Co-Founder David Mintz. “The fest will be free and open to the public. We have been overwhelmed with enthusiasm and support we have received from vendors and revelers alike. We can’t wait for everyone to come out and experience the fest on Oct. 21!”
COPS 2 created NOLA Cochon de Lait Festival to celebrate the unique pork dishes coming out of the New Orleans area and to focus on raising awareness and support for the organization. Its mission is to enhance the working lives of police officers in the Second District of New Orleans. COPS 2 is the first tax-exempt organization in the city specifically dedicated to backing New Orleans police officers.
The nonprofit offers full support to the New Orleans Police Department’s Second District by means of training, office supplies, uniforms, building repairs, Mardi Gras meals and more, reps said. Additionally, COPS 2 provides completely anonymous counseling services for all NOPD officers and their immediate family.
“We have all seen the crime that effects our city and its citizens each day,” said Mintz. “It’s important to remember that the police officers who are responding to these violent crimes require support to help cope with what they’ve seen. COPS 2 is here to provide that. Our counseling services have been so successful that many officers from the NOPD now use the service.”
NOLA Cochon de Lait Festival will feature many local restaurants and musical entertainment. Big Sam’s Funky Nation will perform as the closing headliner, with Daria and the Hip Drops, Soul Rebels and Rockin Dopsie & the Zydeco Twisters performing throughout the day.
Local restaurants serving up savory pork delicacies include Crepes a la Carte, Jacques-imo’s, LaDelyo’s Creole Catering, and the Yakamein Lady. Other food vendors include New Orleans classics like Plum St. Snowballs and Petite Rouge. Vendors will be competing for competitive titles including “Best Cracklin.”
The festival will also feature artwork and crafts from artisans including Ginger Kelly Glass Studios, Heather Elizabeth Designs, Shaun Aleman, Trish Ransom, Third Eye Musings and more.
NOLA Cochon de Lait Festival is made possible by sponsors including Port Orleans Brewing, Seven Three Distillery, The New Orleans Advocate, Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Co. and ACCESS New Orleans.
