Louisiana’s Po’ boy Festival Returns to New Orleans in 2025
(New Orleans, Louisiana) - Did you know Louisiana had a Po' boy Festival? It stands to reason, being that the state has a festival nearly every day, week, or weekend about something. Well, there is a yummy festival centered around a delicious sandwich that was born in the Pelican State. First, here's a little history:
Origin of the Po'boy: How it Became a Louisiana Classic
The po' boy originated in the late 1920s during a streetcar strike. The term "po' boy" literally comes from the name "poor boy," representing the working-class individuals that the sandwich was made for.
The po’boy’s origins trace back to the 1929 streetcar strike, when Bennie and Clovis Martin, former conductors turned restaurant owners, handed out free sandwiches to the “poor boys” on strike. In the 1910s, the brothers left their hometown of Raceland, Louisiana, and moved to New Orleans to work as streetcar conductors. By 1922, they had shifted gears and opened Martin Brothers’ Coffee Stand and Restaurant, serving French loaf sandwiches filled with a variety of ingredients.
The name "po'boy" didn’t emerge until 1929, during a massive four-month strike by the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employees of America, Division No. 194. With over a thousand union streetcar workers left without pay, the Martin brothers decided to support them by offering free meals. In a letter to a local newspaper, they pledged to feed any union member in need.
As the story goes, whenever a striking worker entered the restaurant, one of the brothers would call out, “Here comes another poor boy!” The phrase stuck, and over time, the hearty sandwich itself became known as the “po’boy,” a name that remains iconic in Louisiana cuisine today. That hearty, overstuffed sandwich on crispy French bread? It became a New Orleans staple, and the rest is history!
From a Sandwich to a Festival: How the Celebration Began
New Orleans knows how to throw a party, so it was only a matter of time before this iconic sandwich got its own festival. Launched to honor the city’s rich culinary heritage, the Po'boy Festival has become an annual tradition where locals and visitors alike come together to indulge in the best po’boys from top vendors, and white linen restaurants to eat, enjoy live music, shop local arts and crafts, and soak up that one-of-a-kind New Orleans festival vibe.
2025 Po'boy Festival: Date, Location, Details
You can't talk about Louisiana without talking about food, and you definitely can't talk about food without mentioning the legendary po'boy!
This October, get ready for a mouthwatering celebration of Louisiana’s most beloved sandwich at the 2025 Oak Street Po'boy Festival, happening Saturday, October 11, at Lafayette Square in New Orleans!
What to Expect at the 2025 Po’boy Festival
A Variety of Po'boys – From classic fried shrimp and roast beef debris to creative new twists!
Live Music – Groove to the sounds of Louisiana’s best local bands.
Arts & Crafts – Browse unique creations from talented local artists.
Vegetarian & Vegan Options – Because everyone deserves a good po'boy!
Festival Vibes – Good food, good people, and that unbeatable New Orleans energy!
Here's a look back at highlights from the 2024 Po' boy Festival:
Vendor Details for Louisiana Po'boy Festival
Vendors looking to showcase their delicious po’boys can apply through the official festival website. To be selected, vendors must meet certain criteria—so bring your best! Apply to be a vendor now!
Make sure your appetite is ready because October 11, 2025, at Lafayette Square is where the magic happens. Gather your krewe, come hungry, and prepare to celebrate Louisiana’s favorite sandwich in the heart of New Orleans! By the way, if mouthwatering po'boys isn't enough reason to attend the festival, here's another. Proceeds from the Po' boy Festival benefit the Son of a Saint charity, which provides mentorship, education, recreation, and emotional support to boys growing up without a father.