Organizers Canceled Metairie Que Pasa Fest
The 15th annual celebration was called off due to the approach of Hurricane Isaias.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Hispanic
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Organizers have canceled the 15th annual Que Pasa Fest, which was originally scheduled for this Saturday and Sunday at Lafreniere Park. The decision was made on Wednesday to ensure the safety of all participants as Hurricane Isaias approaches.
Why it matters
The cancellation serves as a precautionary measure to protect vendors, artists, staff, and volunteers from the risks posed by the storm. This is the second time the festival has been called off, with the first instance occurring in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The festival typically serves a community of over 81,000 Hispanic residents in Jefferson Parish. The event usually features 20 food vendors and 75 booths for local nonprofits and businesses.
The players
Cervantes Fundacion Hispanoamericana de Arte
This organization serves as the primary coordinator for the annual Que Pasa Fest in the Louisiana region.
Hurricane Isaias
This tropical weather system strengthened to a Category 2 storm and prompted local safety warnings.
The details
The Cervantes Fundacion Hispanoamericana de Arte announced the cancellation via a social media post on Wednesday. While Hurricane Isaias strengthened to a Category 2 storm on Thursday afternoon, current projections suggest the storm will make landfall near the Alabama-Florida line.
Timeline
2020: The festival was previously canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wednesday: Organizers officially canceled the 2026 festival.
Thursday afternoon: Hurricane Isaias reached Category 2 strength.
Saturday morning: Hurricane Isaias is expected to make landfall.
Saturday and Sunday: The event was originally scheduled for these dates at Lafreniere Park.
Culture Shift
This cancellation follows the pattern of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic cancellation which similarly interrupted the festival's annual schedule. Such disruptions highlight the vulnerability of outdoor cultural programming to unpredictable regional environmental and health crises.
Residents who planned to attend the weekend festivities should refrain from traveling to Lafreniere Park. Those involved with the 20 food vendors or 75 booth operators should look to official social media channels for potential updates on future rescheduling.
The takeaway
Large-scale community events often face unavoidable interruptions from severe weather patterns. Planning ahead and monitoring local government alerts is essential for those participating in or hosting seasonal public gatherings.
Further reading
For more on community celebrations, visit the Hispanic section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NOLA.
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