Sacred Shrine of Jon Bon Jovi New Orleans: History

The Story of the International Special Sacred Shrine of Jon Bon Jovi

Established April 25, 2009

Jon Bon Jovi Shrine Guestbook

Faubourg St. John Neighborhood, New Orleans, LA

I'm Tara Jill, and I live on Maurepas Street and wanted to sell clothes during Jazz Fest.

My friend Amy wanted to sell necklaces.

I was dating a guy with long hair.

JBJ Lookalike

I was trying to raise money to buy a ticket to see Jon Bon Jovi. Hoping to get more people to visit my yard sale, and I decided to build a shrine to Jon Bon Jovi.

Bon Jovi

I quickly compiled as much information about Jon Bon Jovi as I could.

The guy I was dating helped me make a high resolution picture of Jon Bon Jovi.

On April 25, 2009, Tara Jill's constantly evolving International Special Sacred Shrine of Jon Bon Jovi welcomed enthusiasts to celebrate the cultural phenomenon of the man who wrote what is arguably the greatest power ballad of all time.

I was trying to make a poster, and this wonderful guest shared his appreciation for Jon Bon Jovi.

Guests from all over signed the guestbook.

BonJovi Fans

Please stop by to read the guest book.

BonJovi NOLA Shrine

These lovely ladies pranced down the street singing "I'll be there for you." I had not seen the last of them.

BonJovi Fans New Orleans Jazz Fest

I had to get extra tables to accommodate the shrine.

New Orleans Jazz Fest Bon Jovi Shrine 2009

Free Aqua Net Hair Spray for everyone!

BonJovi Shrine Jazz Fest 2009 New Orleans

The girls from Baltimore brought a picture of Bon Jovi and kissed it at the shrine.

BonJovi Shrine Jazz Fest Fans

Simon and Sarah visited the shrine and suggested I make wreaths of roses like the one Jon Bon Jovi is wearing in the photograph.

Fans at Jon Bon Jovi Shrine New Orleans

The wreaths of roses made me feel beautiful, and I was in love.

Tara Jill New Orleans Shrine Jon Bon Jovi

My boyfriend and I argued about which one of looked more like Jon Bon Jovi.

JBJ

He really did remind me of Jon Bon Jovi.

Shrine Jon Bon Jovi NOLA

Bic Lighters were popular items!

Shrine Jon Bon Jovi Memorabilia New Orleans Jazz Fest

Then, Chris Rose noticed the Shrine, and he tweeted about it during Bon Jovi's performance.

Me on NOLA.com

People came at night to see the Shrine and write lyrics to Bon Jovi songs on my steps with sidewalk chalk.

Shrine Jon Bon Jovi NOLA

Even Amy seemed to enjoy the shrine.

BonJovi Fans at New Orleans Jazz Fest shrine

Selling T-Shirts seemed like a good idea, and Rhonda at Funrockin helped me. Thank you, Rhonda!

Shrine of JBJ NOLA

Nicole contributed a pick and lovely energy. She described the shrine as having a "Zen like quality."

Get Your 80s On - Style This Wig with Aqua Net Super Hold Hairspray!

BonJoviShrine NOLA

I began accepting donations, which people generously supplied. Even some Crown Royal.

Shrine Bon Jovi New Orleans

Watch the video of fans visiting the shrine after Bon Jovi's May 2 Performance at the 2009 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

I finally got to go into the festival the day after Jon Bon Jovi's performance. I would later remember this as the happiest moment of my life.