New Orleans is alive with Super Bowl excitement as the city prepares for the Chiefs vs. Eagles matchup. Amid the vibrant celebrations, concerns over Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods are largely overlooked. Locals express little awareness of trade tensions, focusing instead on the festive atmosphere. With 125,000 visitors expected, the city’s iconic locations are decked out for the occasion, highlighting how sports can provide a welcomed escape from daily worries.
Celebration Takes Center Stage in New Orleans
As Sunday wanes in New Orleans, the sun casts a warm glow over the city. Historic buildings are adorned in vibrant Super Bowl colors, and the iconic balconies of the French Quarter buzz with energy. Amidst the excitement for the upcoming football showdown, the topic of Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods seems to fade into the background.
In simpler terms, the focus here is solely on the Super Bowl, leaving little room for concern over tariffs!
The Spirit of the Super Bowl
I’m here throughout the week to cover the much-anticipated clash between the Chiefs and the Eagles at the Caesars Superdome. This quintessentially American event unfolds in a Republican state, making it fascinating to explore the sentiments of the crowds drawn to this grand sporting and cultural celebration.
While I don’t claim to have conducted a thorough survey of the city, my conversations indicate a clear trend: in this Southern state, the atmosphere is all about festivity. The heavy toll of 25% tariffs feels worlds away from the lively scene here.
A similar sentiment was echoed by my waiter at Drago’s, where I indulged in a local Cajun delicacy. “Canada?” he laughed heartily. “I’m not sure if those tariffs are smart for American consumers either. But for now, it’s not really on my radar.”
While major national media outlets spotlight the trade tensions between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and China, it’s a different story in New Orleans. Here, the focus remains squarely on the Super Bowl.
If you glance at the Times Picayune, the local news hub, you’ll need to search extensively to find any mention of tariffs. Scrolling through the main page reveals a wealth of Super Bowl-related articles, with the tariff news tucked away as just the fifth item, overshadowed by a piece on the best time to bathe your cat. Yes, you read that right!
It’s essential to note that this carefree attitude may not reflect the sentiments in states closer to the Canadian border. In New Orleans, the city is fully immersed in Super Bowl festivities.
New Orleans has been gearing up for this event for six years, proudly hosting the Super Bowl for the 11th time. An estimated 125,000 visitors are expected to flood the city for the big game on Sunday.
The city, with its charming European flair, is already dressed for the occasion. The stunning St. Louis Cathedral showcases light projections of the Super Bowl 59 logo, captivating onlookers as night falls.
As the music fills the air, locals and tourists alike pour into the vibrant streets of the French Quarter. The residents are eager to welcome the Super Bowl back for the first time since February 2013, and options for celebration are plentiful.
While wandering towards Bourbon Street, known for its lively atmosphere, I took a seat at a bar. When my neighbor asked where I was from, and I replied, “Quebec, Canada,” the conversation quickly shifted from tariffs to mixed martial arts superstar Georges St-Pierre and WWE wrestler Kevin Owens.
Before departing with my drink in hand, I attempted to steer the discussion towards tariffs. Yet, I quickly sensed that mentioning tariffs would have garnered more interest if I had chosen to discuss the mating habits of the gray-cheeked mangabey in Uganda.
While sports may not address pressing societal issues, they do possess the remarkable ability to help people momentarily forget life’s burdens. And sometimes, that’s all we need.