City Park, The French Quarter, Jackson Square, Bourbon Street, and Mardi Gras, are some of the places and things that comes to a tourist's mind when visiting the historic and cultural city of New Orleans for the first time.

When scoping the city, newbies can see cool thrift shops, street artists, historic museums, and bright-earthy pastel-colored edifices, and dine at great cafes and restaurants.There is always something to do in this part of Louisiana.

Senior political science major Kaala B. Maple was not only fortunate enough to explore the city, she also attended the Essence Festival which took place at the Mercedez-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana from June 30 to July 3.

Photo Cred: Hellobeautiful.com

Photo Cred: Elaine Maple

The Essence Music Festival, known as “the party with a purpose,” occurred annually since 1994, which was only supposed to be a one-time event to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Essence Magazine. Residents of the unique city and tourists were able to see and meet famous entertainers and artist during this weekend, attend concerts and listen to guest speakers featured on the lineup.

Check out Kaala Maple’s summer highlight below:

Shakora Bamberg: Tell me about your experience at Essence Magazine Festival; paint the picture for your readers.

Kaala Maple: My experience at the Essence Festival was fascinating. Being in the midst of all of the New Orleans culture and food for the first time was an experience that I will never forget. At the festival, there were people from all different walks of life together in one building enjoying themselves. Celebrities were around every corner talking with everyone or performing.

Photo Cred: Kaala Maple

SB: How long did you stay in New Orleans?

KM: We stayed in New Orleans for four days and three nights. July 1-3 were the festival dates. We also stayed on the 4th of July.

SB: What hotel did you stay in?

KM: We stayed in Intercontinental hotel located downtown New Orleans. To my surprise, we saw lots of celebrities also staying in that hotel as well.

SB: Who went with you during your trip to New Orleans? Why did you go to the Essence Festival?

KM: My whole family and I went to the festival, and we decided to go so that we could experience the festival and the city.

SB: Was this one of your summer highlights? If so, why?

KM: This was one definitely one of the highlights of my summer. The highlight of the experience was being on Bourbon Street and attending the concerts that were a part of the festival. I also enjoyed seeing Oprah speak. She was promoting her new show called "Queen Sugar."

Photo Cred: Elaine Maple

SB: Were you able to meet any famous people or see any artist?

KM: I was able to personally meet one of my favorite gospel singers Yolanda Adams, and take a picture and talk with actor Morris Chestnut.

I was in the crowd listening to Morris Chestnut speak and promote his new movie. At the end, he decided to come around toward the crowd. I was nervous to shake his hand and he came toward me, grabbed my phone and took a selfie; he was so down to earth.

There was a gospel concert that took place on Sunday, and I met singer Yolanda Adams. I didn’t have a conversation like I did with Chestnut, but after the concert I met her briefly. It was more like a “Hey girl,” encounter. Like Chestnut, Adams was cool and very down to earth and did a great job performing one of her songs.

Maple said there was no security which made her encounters with both entertainers an inviting and easy-going one.

SB: Who did you get to see in concert, and where did it take place?

KM: I saw Diddy and the Family, Ciara, and Kendrick Lamar in concert.

The dome was super crowded and full of people from all over the US. The concert was at the New Orleans Superdome. The festival took place at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Photo Cred: Kaala Maple

SB: What did you learn at the Essence Festival?

KM: At the Festival, we learned about the upcoming products from the companies and brands: Walmart, McDonalds, Verizon, and several other sponsors of the event. All the vendors were giving out free samples of products.

SB: Tell your readers about New Orleans, the culture, people, food, shopping areas art museums.

KM: The people were very nice and the food was very good. I enjoyed eating the seafood and hearing all of the music at the festival. The shopping areas were very nice, and a few blocks from our hotel was a huge shopping outlet for the tourists. The shopping center is like an inside outlet mall. My family and I ate at this one restaurant called The Crazy Lobster; the food there was so good, I kid you not.

SB: Did you have to pay an expensive fee to attend the festival?

KM: Attending the festival was free. You can walk up and go inside and listen to different speakers and panels for free and get freebies too.

SB: How many days did it last?

KM: The festival lasted three days.

SB: Did you have VIP seats and access?

KM: We were not able to get VIP and access this time.

SB: What was the weather like during the weekend?

KM: The weather was extremely hot and muggy.

SB: What did you wear for your trip?

KM: I wore comfortable and casual clothes throughout the trip because we did a lot of walking all day.

Photo Cred: Kaala Maple

SB: Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?

KM: Riding the ferry across the Mississippi River was an eye opener because one side of the river was more developed and had attractions for tourists, and the other side seemed very poor. This surprised me, because one side of the river was full of life and the other seemed to be still struggling with effects of Hurricane Katrina.

SB: Do you plan on attending the festival again?

KM: We plan to attend the festival annually.

SB: Would you recommend the opportunity to others?

KM: I would definitely recommend the opportunity to others. My family and I plan on visiting here again around this time. I was in complete culture shock after visiting New Orleans, but it was a great first time experience at the festival and in the city.

Photo below Cred: Kaala Maple