2016 Jazz Fest Attendance Drops After Wet Weekend

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NEW ORLEANS (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — Rain over the second weekend of this year's New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival caused overall attendance to drop from the previous year's total.

Organizers say in a news release that approximately 425,000 people passed through the gates during the festival, which runs over two weekends.

While crowds swayed to sounds played by Dr. John, rocker Elvis Costello and rapper Flo Rida, lightning hit the scaffolding for a giant TV screen showing fans the close-ups of singer Bonnie Raitt and her band as they performed Keep Your Mouth Shut."

A day earlier thunderstorms forced the cancelled appearances by Stevie Wonder, rapper Snoop Dogg, Beck and others.

In 2015, Jazz Fest drew an estimated 460,000 attendees, the highest total since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city in 2005. Overall Jazz Fest attendance has still not rebounded to its pre-Katrina levels.

In 2001, 650,000 attend the festival.

The 2017 Jazz Fest is set for the weekends of April 28 and May 7.

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