What began in 1995 as a one-time event to celebrate Essence Magazine's 25th anniversary has blossomed into an annual festival, which has welcomed hundreds of thousands of guests to the Crescent City each year over the past two decades. Often times referred to as “a party with a purpose,” Essence Fest promotes, celebrates and explores: health & wellness, spirituality, beauty & style, food, community & culture, entertainment, entrepreneurship and more within the African American community. Attendees are invited to engage in panel discussions, shopping, meet and greets, activities, and of course, nonstop live music featuring some of the best in R&B, soul, funk, gospel and hip-hop each and every Fourth of July weekend.