National Fried Chicken Festival
– 2025 Staff Information Guide

Event Information

Location: Lakeshore Dr. @ Franklin Ave (Shelter #3), New Orleans, LA 70126
Dates: Saturday, October 4 – Sunday, October 5, 2025
Hours: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM (both days)



Production Schedule
  • Wednesday 10/1: Radio/Cart Checkout, Sponsor, Vendor Load In by Appointment
  • Thursday 10/2: Production Meetings, Walkthroughs, Sponsor, Vendor Load In, Radio/Cart Checkout
  • Friday 10/3: All production staff onsite 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM , Sponsor, Vendor Load In, 
  • Saturday 10/4: All staff onsite 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM (event day, including 5k)
  • Sunday 10/5: All staff onsite 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM (event day & load-out)
  • Monday 10/6: Vendor/Sponsor load-out 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

(Full production calendar available upon request.)



Emergency Contacts
  • Executive Producer: Cleveland Spears – 504-908-1010
  • Associate Producer & F&B Director: Tina Dixon-Williams – 504-914-9940
  • Associate Producer & Director of Event Operations: Terence King – 504-812-7322
  • Production Logistics & Admin Manager: Tiffany Williams – 504-418-7146
  • Public Safety Director: Kent Wilkins – 504-270-7580
  • Volunteer Coordinator: Jayant Patel – 858-829-5193 
  • Ticketing Director: Deven Parker – 504-799-9257
  • Accessibility Coordinator: Rideia Wilson – 504-421-5132
  • Finance Director: Ronald Evangelista – 504-352-5210
  • Sponsorship: Raina Vallot, Sherin Dawud – 318-303-3752
  • Marketing Director: Elle Tully – 419-571-7690
  • Entergy Stage: Christina Thomas – 504-214-6076
  • Delta Utilities Stage: Carl Gatti  – 281-455-2097
  • VIP Coordinator: Candice Brock – 832-656-1421
  • Food Vendors: Juleah Marcell – 504-273-8119 
  • Headquarters: Alex Augillard – 504-402-2953

(Full contact directory available upon request.)



Credentials & Staff Check-in

Credential Pickup

  • Thu 10/2 @ HQ: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Fri 10/3 @ West Box Office: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Sat 10/4 @ East & West Box Offices: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Sun 10/5 @ East & West Box Offices: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Staff Meals

  • Friday: Lunch & Dinner at HQ
  • Saturday: Breakfast (7–9 AM), Boxed Lunch (1–3 PM), Dinner (5–7:30 PM)

(Tickets required—pick up from your department lead. Note: If your contract does not include lunch, you will not receive a ticket. Please contact your department head to confirm your eligibility.)



Parking & Load-In ( Directions / Map )

Parking: Staff, sponsor, and artist lots at East Entrance (lawn).

Access: Load In Pass required to enter festival grounds
Passes: Distributed with credential packets.


Load-In Schedule

  • Wed 10/1: Sponsor activations (8 AM – 5 PM), Food Vendors (8 AM – 5 PM)
  • Thu 10/2: Sponsor activations (8 AM – 5 PM), Food/Non Food Vendors (8 AM – 5 PM)
  • Fri 10/3: Sponsor activations (8 AM – 5 PM), Food Vendors (8 AM – 5 PM)
  • Sat 10/4: Final load-in (5–8 AM)
  • Sun 10/5: Final load-in (7–10 AM)
  • Sun 10/5 & Mon 10/6: Load-out



Food Vendors | Merchandise Vendors

Food Vendors

  • Load In: Wed 10/1- Thurs 10/2
  • Show Day Load-in complete by 8:00 AM on Saturday / 10:00 AM on Sunday
  • Load-in passes required. Unauthorized vehicles will be towed.
    [Link to Food Vendor Info]

Non-Food Vendors

  • Load In: Thursday 10/2 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Show Day Load-in complete by 8:00 AM on Saturday / 10:00 AM on Sunday
  • Load-in passes required. Unauthorized vehicles will be towed.
    [Link to NOTCF Non-Food Vendors Info on website]



Site Map

ZONE A – TEAL
ZONE B – BURGUNDY
ZONE C – YELLOW

Radios

Checkout: Begins Thu 10/2 at HQ. Keep radios until after the festival.
Responsibility: Individuals are accountable for lost/damaged radios.  Checks will not be issued until radios are returned.
Advancing: Radios issued only if your team advanced a request.

Channel Guide

1 – Ops/HQ
2 – Sponsorship
3 – Beverage Ops
4 – Food Program
5 – Ticketing/Front Gates
6 – Electrical
7 – Public Safety
8 – Dispatch
9 – Marketing/Info
10 – Stages
11 – Artist Relations
12 – Merch
13 – Car Show
14 – Sanitation
15 – Volunteers
16 – Judging
17 – Parking
18 – Accessibility
19 – Pep Boys (Field Ops)
20 – VIP
21 – Chat



Safety & Emergency Procedures

Emergencies: Call Dispatch channel and provide clear details (color zones, landmarks, etc.). Stay on scene until help arrives.

Emergency Reporting Protocol (Staff on Radio)
  1. Emergencies: Call Dispatch channel and provide clear details (color zones, landmarks, etc.). Stay on scene until help arrives.

  2. Medical: Call Dispatch channel to report medical incidents.

Emergency Reporting Protocol (Vendors & Sponsors)
  1. Alert on-site security immediately (nearest officer or security guard).
    • State what happened, where it happened, and any immediate dangers/injuries.
  3. Notify your Zone Captain with the same details.
Severe Weather

Severe Weather: Await HQ direction and assist with sheltering guests.
(Full Emergency Plan available upon request.)

Accessibility

The (The National Fried Chicken) festival, presented by Raising Cane’s, is committed to accessibility and inclusivity. We continue to improve access so all guests can fully enjoy the event.
CLICK HERE for more Accessibility Information



Entertainment

CLICK HERE for Full FCF Entertainment Line-Up

Backstage Access: Entry is permitted only for individuals with proper credentials. All others will be escorted out. Please respect the artists and their space while in this area. Anyone observed not following these rules will be asked to leave.

Artist Parking: Designated parking is provided in the artist lot located near the East Entrance.

Artist Food: Artists will have access to the catering area during designated meal times.



Experiences
  • 5K 
  • Crown Royal VIP
  • Beer Garden 
  • All Ages VIP
  • Raising Cane’s Village and Ferris Wheel 
  • Kids Zone
  • NOTCF Marketplace
  • Entergy Lounge – This is not a public space.  Entergy guests only
  • Car Show 
  • Casamigos VIP
Staff Support & Expectations
  • Timeliness: Report on time and check in with your supervisor.
  • Attire: Staff credential & festival shirt required; closed-toe shoes only.
  • Substance Use: Prohibited during shifts.
  • Guest Interaction: Remain professional; escalate issues calmly.
  • Incident Reporting: Report harassment, altercations, or misconduct to HQ.
  • Wellness: Rest tents & water stations are available.
Pep Boys (Tool/Equipment Headquarters)
    • Location: Behind Entergy Stage in the East Boneyard (Updated)
    • Check-Out Protocol: All tools and equipment must be properly checked out before use.
    • Hotline & Radio Channel: Available for requests and communication.
    • Golf Cart Check-Out/Return: Located here behind the Entergy Stage.
    • Supply/Tool Request Protocol: If additional supplies or tools are needed from Pep Boys, call the hotline first to request them. Do not stop by headquarters or take tools without proper check-out, as this ensures safety and accountability. 

    • NOTE: Specific tools needed for your department must be advanced and are not guaranteed. Please contact Operations to confirm if tools requested have been ordered prior to load-in.

    Golf Cart Safety
    • Check-Out Protocol: All golf carts should be properly checked-out prior to use. A digital form link will be provided on-site in Pep Boys Headquarters.
    • Speed Limit: Do not exceed 10 mph. Reduce speed in crowded areas, near pedestrians, or when making turns.
    • Authorized Drivers Only: All drivers must hold a valid driver’s license and be pre-approved by your department head. Absolutely no underage or unlicensed drivers.
    • Passenger Limits: Never overload carts. All passengers must be seated properly; no standing, hanging off sides, or riding on laps.
    • Right of Way: Always yield to guests and pedestrians. Use extra caution around crosswalks, concessions, and crowded zones.
    • Parking Protocol: Remove keys whenever the cart is not in use. Park only in designated cart areas, never blocking walkways, entrances, or emergency routes.
    • Assigned Carts: Each cart is assigned through Pep Boys Headquarters. Do not swap or share carts without prior approval.
    • Designated Routes: Carts must remain on approved paths at all times. (See attached layout for specifics.) Do not drive through pedestrian-only areas or restricted zones.
    • Zero Tolerance Policy: Drinking and driving will result in immediate removal of cart privileges and possible removal from the event.
    • Safe Operation: Use headlights at night, drive cautiously in wet conditions, and always come to a complete stop before allowing passengers to enter or exit.
    Waste & Sanitation
    • Dumpsters located at service areas (see site map)
    • Report full bins to Sanitation via radio
    • All staff expected to assist in maintaining a clean worksite
    Frequently Asked Questions