The historic Arcade Theater in downtown Ferriday will be the venue for an upcoming style show and luncheon featuring local models wearing the newest spring fashions from Katie’s Ladies in Natchez.

But this is more than a style show and luncheon.

It is an example of what community pride looks like.

Proceeds from the event will provide funds for Ferriday Garden Club’s major ongoing project, the Bayou Memorial Park located next to scenic Cocodrie Bayou at the southern entrance to Ferriday.

The park was dedicated on May 15, 2007. Many hours of work and much community participation went into the creation of the park.

FGC members planted 12 patriotic trees native to Louisiana to honor state and local officials. Local veterans’ names also are displayed on a bronze plaque in the park.

Among the flower beds and Blue Star Marker are 55 American flags, which were donated in honor of local veterans by area citizens. The garden club members oversee the upkeep of the flowerbeds and plantings, and maintain the flags, which must be replaced periodically; the sun and wind take a toll on the fabric in just one year. The original flagpoles have deteriorated with the storms and high winds and will be replaced with sturdy, one-piece iron ones.

The Ferriday Garden Club has been a vital part of the community since it was organized and federated in 1946.

The club is a member of the National Garden Clubs, Inc., Deep South Region and Louisiana Garden Club Federation, Inc., District V. There are 26 active members and three honorary members.

To name a few of Ferriday Garden Club’s other ongoing projects: the club maintains the Louisiana Avenue Park and also planters at the Concordia Parish Library, Riverland Medical Center, Ferriday Police Station, downtown area and the flags and flowerbeds at the entrances to town.

The club provides seasonal decorations to the lamp poles on Louisiana Avenue, sponsors the Junior Garden Club, Planting Pride at Ferriday Upper Elementary School and also sponsors a garden therapy project at Heritage Manor Nursing Home. The club is a co-sponsor with the GFWC Community Service Club in the Golden Broom Award project.

The club was the first-place winner of the statewide Cleanest City Contest in their category in 2010.

This year’s event will be the fourth style show luncheon in recent years, each with a unique theme: 2007, Patriotic Luncheon — Fashion for a Cause; 2009, Downtown in Style; and 2011, Suddenly Spring.

This year’s event will be Lake Styles because many of the Ferriday Garden Club members live in nearby lake communities. Katie’s Ladies has provided the fashions for all the shows.

An annual fundraiser is the sale of caladium bulbs.

Proceeds from the style show/luncheon will go toward replacement of all the flagpoles and any faded and torn flags.

Tickets are $35 and donations are welcome and are tax deductible. Please support the Ferriday Garden Club in their effort to maintain Bayou Memorial Park by making a donation, or by purchasing a ticket to their fundraiser on Feb. 27. Seating is limited for the luncheon. To make a reservation, call 318-757-7973.

 

Jane Vaughan is a member of the Ferriday Garden Club.