There’s no better way to get ready for the Superbowl than a food fuelled tailgate party. Over at New Orleans’ Mardi Gras World art museum, Diners Drive Ins and Dives host, Guy Fieri hosted his third annual Flavortown Tailgate and even broke the world record with the largest tailgate bringing in 20,000 fans. The party began on Sunday morning at 12 p.m. beginning with Fieri’s grand entrance.
Dressed in all black with a cigar in hand, Fieri threw Mardi Gras beads to tailgaters as he rode in on a Mardi Gras float throughout Mardi Gras World. Fieri was joined by artists Flavor Flav, Diplo, Stretch, and Cowboy Mouth for a day of music and food. Dozens of companies sponsored food tents and many of them offered free samples.
Emerging rock artist Stretch opened the music performances of the day at 12 p.m.. Stretch is a recording artist, entrepreneur, eestaurateur, and TV Personality. He is the creator of Grinders Pizza restaurants & franchise. His restaurants have gained popularity due to his appearances on hit Food Network shows like: Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, Guys Big Bite, Cutthroat Kitchen, and Guy’s Grocery Games. In 2023 Stretch released their debut album, Carnivore of Chaos, with the single “Flavortown.”
At 12:40 p.m., New Orleans based band Cowboy Mouth took to the stage. The band is composed of members Fred LeBlanc on vocals and drums, John Thomas Griffith on lead guitar and keyboard, Brian “Bruiser” Broussard on bass, and Frank “Frankie G” Grocholski on guitar. The band has spent their career that began in the 90’s fusing together rock and jam band sounds.
Carnival Cruise Line has been a long time partner with Guy Fieri with his Guy’s Burger Joints on every ship. Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Lines was on hand to make a $150,000 donation to the Guy Fieri Foundation.
Fieri hosted a special Crock-Pot Face-Off where Delaware State University football coach and former player DeSean Jackson and TV personality and former football player Spice Adams went head-to-head in a cooking challenge. The audience got to taste free samples and decide who made the best dish.
From 2:10 – 2:55 p.m., Flavor Flav put on an energy filled DJ set. Out in the audience, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles cheered him on. Flavor Flav is a rapper, TV personality, DJ, and founding member of the hip-hop group Public Enemy.
From 3 – 4:30 PM, Thomas Wesley Pentz, better known by his stage name Diplo, delivered a country inspired DJ set for a packed crowd. He is the co-founder of group Major Lazer, music producer, and DJ. He has won multiple awards during his career including Artist of the Year (2023), and multiple Best Dance Recordings.
Football stars including Eli Manning, Reggie Bush, Jamaal Williams, and Tyrann Mathieu tailgated alongside Fieri and guests, some even serving food at the various sponsored food stands. Companies like Sabra, King’s Hawaiian, and Hellman’s had their own stands with free samples for guests as they prepared for the Superbowl.
As 5 p.m. rolled around, tailgaters got ready to watch the big game at home or head down to the stadium to see it live. Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Tailgate was a great way to get the party started!