Members of the L.A.D.D. Center of Jena kicked off the Mardi Gras season with fun, food and dance at the annual celebration event held last Friday at the Centennial Cultural Center in downtown Olla.

Upon arrival, L.A.D.D. employees were decked out in hats, beads and feather boas, filling the room with bright green, purple and gold. After a warm welcome by CCC Director Donna Lindsey, attendees were quizzed on Mardi Gras trivia by Alyssa Guidry. Guidry serves at the Community Development Coordinator at the Arts Council of Central Louisiana, the organization that provided a grant to fund the entire event.

After a round of trivia questions, the visiting ensemble, Northwestern State University Brass Quintet, led the group in a walking parade. Everyone marched to the tune of “The Second Line” from the center, through the downtown Olla Courtyard and back. The honored guests especially enjoyed this part of the day, clapping, dancing and smiling as they made their way behind the band.

Following the remainder of the musical performance, the group heard from visiting speaker LaSalle Parish Clerk of Court Steve Andrews and then enjoyed a delicious Louisiana meal complete with jambalaya and king cake.

Rounding out the event’s décor was Mardi Gras artwork created by the L.A.D.D. employees themselves, on display for all to enjoy.

This event was supported by a Louisiana Project Grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts administered by the Arts Council of Central Louisiana, and the Centennial Cultural Center worked in conjunction with the L.A.D.D. Center and its volunteers to make the event possible.

The CCC would like to thank all who took part in planning the event, and the members of the NSU Brass Quintet – Ever Galeas, trumpet, Jack Stanley, trumpet, Angie Mejia, French horn, Francisco Riego, tuba and Rafael Melgar, trombone – for playing music at this special event.

Photos from the day:

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