Christina Leavenworth / Eyewitness News
NEW ORLEANS ― When numbers are released this afternoon, Essence Fest officials believe they will have seen the biggest crowds the festival has ever seen.
Officials believe nearly 400,000 people were at the festival this year, traveling from around the country to attend the music and lecture event.
Celeste Brown came with 50 women. On Monday morning, they loaded onto a bus and headed back to South Carolina.
"It was a great trip,” Brown said. “A lot of sisterhood, laughter, love. Everyone had a good time."
Kimble Deel-Young travelled from Washington D.C. and has attended eight Essence festivals.
"This is one of best places to see great music,” Deel-Young said. “So many artists on six different stages. The music alone is worth the trip for me.”
And this year’s festival won’t be the last or only time many will attend, festival-goers said.
"We loved the food in New Orleans and shopping,” Brown said. “We love everything about New Orleans.”
They’ll have at least the next three years to come back as Essence Fest is under contract with New Orleans through 2014.
