Rising stars on the music stages, a greater variety of local food and art vendors, a courtesy parking shuttle bus and a new New Orleans-bred beer sponsor are all on tap for the Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo, which returns to the banks of Bayou St. John this weekend.

The free event takes place Friday through Sunday and features nearly 40 bands, with performances on four stages on grounds that parallel the placid bayou.

The acts include national rock group Cracker, Cupid the creator of the popular Cupid Shuffle song Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, blues guitarist Chris Thomas King, and Tank & the Bangas, which saw its profile rise this year when it was featured nationally on the NPR "Tiny Desk Concert" series.

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Prior to taping a Tiny Desk concert earlier this year at National Public Radio headquarter

Im happy that we can change up our programming and give our fans something different this year, said Jared Zeller, the producer of Bayou Boogaloo and the president of MotherShip Foundation, the nonprofit that launched Bayou Boogaloo in 2006.

Zeller noted that the festivals food scene will once again highlight Mid-City restaurants but also welcome a few newcomers, like Gonzos Smokehouse & BBQ, Tru Vietnamese Caf, ZKaya and Js Seafood Dock, with their chargrilled oysters.

Festgoers can cool off with frozen coffee, fruity lemonade and refreshments from the Root Beer Float Float, presented by Friends of Lafitte Greenway.

Zach Strief, an offensive tackle for the Saints, will pour beer on Sunday at the Pals Lounge beer booth. Strief is an investor in Port Orleans Brewing Co., which launched this month in New Orleans and will be on hand for the Boogaloo.

A new brewery builds a reputation one beer at a time. At the latest brewery to emerge in New

Artisans will sell handcrafted jewelry and home dcor items in the sprawling marketplace.

New family-friendly activities, such as yoga, a puppet show and a performance by the Singing Beats take place near the kids stage.

The third annual Paddle Battle ($35), a 6.12-mile kayak and canoe race, kicks off Saturday at 8:30 a.m.

Pets on a leash are welcome. The Canal Street Veterinary Hospital will provide water bowls and a shaded area so pets can escape the heat.

To make the growing festival more accessible, organizers have added a shuttle bus and parking lots. Last years Bayou Boogaloo attracted more than 35,000 people, eager to listen to live music and dine on festival fare, all while relaxing near the water.

Our event is unique because of its location and our relationship with Bayou St. John, said Zeller. Its a memorable experience for most people.

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What: the Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo

When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, May 19

11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.Saturday, May 20

11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, May 21

Where: N. Jefferson Davis Parkway (on the banks of Bayou St. John), between Dumaine Street and Lafitte Avenue; Parking information available on http://www.thebayouboogaloo.com

General admission: Free; Canopy Club VIP tickets are $250 for the weekend and can be purchased from the website.

Read more:

At free Bayou St. John festival, more reasons to boogaloo - The Advocate