Pardi Gras

Can a pot of jambalaya build new relationships in a community? Of course it can with help from the Good Neighbor Network. After a morning of volunteering and planting trees along Glass Street, residents and friends reunited for the party of all parties: Pardi Gras.

Attendees were greeted with detailed decorations, live music, Mardi Gras beads and most importantly jambalaya, gumbo and King Cake. During the event, both children and adults were busily and excitedly designing their own Pardi Gras masks, dancing to african drums, taking photos using a DIY photo booth, watching a belly dancing performance, and more.  It goes without saying that no New Orleans themed party would be complete without a float. The Good Neighbor Network (GNN) worked with local resident artist Rondell Crier and a few youth from within the community to create a float. Children piled up and threw beads and chocolate coins out for the grand finale of the event.

Gail McKeel of the Good Neighbor Network stated that community events like Pardi Gras are a great way to engage the community; especially when there’s food and music! Pardi Gras was a Good Neighbor Network event. GNN is a group founded in the summer of 2013 with the goal of bringing the Glass Street community together and engaging the surrounding community through events and projects.

Outcomes:
2 large pots of jambalaya
8 Good Neighbor Network participants and event hosts
Countless masks, beads and glitter
1 DIY Photo Booth
1 Float constructed by Studio Everything
60 Attendees
12 Belly Dancers
3 African Drums
1 large king cake

Media:
Photos can be viewed here.