Did WDSU-TV meteorologist Damon Singleton scan your Jazz Fest ticket? Or was it a magistrate, a business leader or a judge? Or King Zulu, or a doctor you might recognize from local billboards?
Scanners at three of the five New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival entrances are Men of Omega, members of the Rho Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., aka the guys in purple and gold shirts. Omega Singleton was out there last weekend. So was Randolph “Rudy” Davis, King Zulu 2022.
Attorney, former prosecutor and magistrate judge Marion Floyd of Kenner scans the tickets of Skyler Williams, a 2014 LSU graduate, and her friends at the Gentilly Jazz Fest entrance on Sunday, April 28, 2024.
I scanned tickets at the Gentilly gate this weekend with some of my Omega brothers — attorneys, businessmen, constables, doctors, educators and judges among them. All gave their time to help Jazz Fest run smoothly — as volunteers.
A ticket-holding guest suggested to one of the volunteer scanners that if he applied himself more he could make something of himself and get a better job.
The man she addressed was Omega Marion Floyd, a well-known Kenner attorney, a former prosecutor and a magistrate judge.
Dr. Brian Pettiford of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity's Rho Phi Chapter in New Orleans stands ready for the next Jazz Fest guest at the Sauvage Street entrance on Sunday, April 28, 2024. Pettiford is the section head of general thoracic surgery at Ochsner Medical Center.
The brothers of Rho Phi are college-educated, professional men who have been a part of Jazz Fest since the 1990s, when they raised funds by selling koozies.
The chapter began scanning tickets both weekends at the Gentilly gate in 2003. The group worked backup in 2004. The brothers have worked the Gentilly gate both weekends since 2005, becoming a regular fixture for many.
"Omegas! You're everywhere," shouted one guest.
Several years after successfully handling the Gentilly gate — around 15 years ago — the chapter picked up the Trafalgar Street entrance. They were so good at handling customers that they picked up a third gate — the Sauvage Street entrance — a few years ago.
Doves of Peace, a non-profit connected to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., works another gate and helps with the handicap accessible parking entry point.
The Omegas, often referred to as The Ques, work the gates to help thousands enter the Fest as quickly as possible — and to help students get a college education.
New Orleans Criminal Court Judge Benedict J. "Ben" Willard was basileus of Rho Phi when the chapter started manning a Fest gate. He thought it would be helpful to rely on brothers volunteering to help the group fundraise to support undergraduate college scholarships.
Willard recently told me that fundraising has gone from under $2,000 to more than $10,000 annually. Students at Dillard University, Southern University of New Orleans and Xavier University get help to continue their education.
"I'm blessed in my job. I'm blessed in my life. This is all a part of fraternity service," said Willard. "If we don't give back, what do we have to look forward to?"
Some would-be Fest-goers try some tricks to get in, said Singleton, "but 99 percent of the people cooperate." He's been working the fest as an Omega for most of the 18 years he's been back in New Orleans working. "We're all a part of a great fraternity and working the gate at Jazz Fest is part of what we do to help," said the Omega weatherman, who gets recognized even with his sunglasses on.
Others may recognize an Omega man they've seen on television commercials and billboards representing Ochsner/MD Anderson — Dr. Brian L. Pettiford, section head of general thoracic surgery with Ochsner Medical Center. He's been working Fest gates the last few years.
With Singleton scanning to my left, we supported each other when our respective scanners didn't function properly. Floyd was doing his thing, chatting up guests and ushering them in. Business owner Michael Harrison Jr., son of former Police Chief Michael Harrison, was scanning nearby.
Willard got things going with serving at the Fest. Basileus after basileus has kept it going, including Basileus Adrian Thibodeaux, a retired Marine Corps combat veteran and a retired federal government employee who is proud of his brethen.
Times-Picayune columnist Will Sutton stands just inside the Gentilly Jazz Fest entrance on Saturday, April 27, 2024 with Times-Picayune colleague Doug McCash after Sutton scanned his ticket.
Brother Walter Martin, a retired financial planner, stepped up to help Willard as Jazz Fest co-coordinator some time ago. He plays point with Fest officials. He reviews the books and staffing numbers with Willard and dispatches us to where we're needed. When Fest security and police see something, Martin is the man they ask to see.
He also sees to it that we begin each day of Fest service with breakfast at the Crescent City Que Club — after prayer — and then he provides updates and marching orders before heading out about 9 a.m.. We get on-site lunch breaks in shifts, then it's back to work.
These Omega men enjoy days of fun and fellowship while serving the community and helping students get through school.
If you come to one of our gates this weekend, please smile, say hello — and cooperate. We're at the Fest to help.
