Get ready to see the newest fashions for the spring season at the Ferriday Garden Club’s Luncheon and Style Show at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Arcade Theater in Ferriday.

This historic theater is in downtown Ferriday and has been a venue for many famous celebrities of this decade.

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 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. Twelve patriotic trees, native to Louisiana, were planted by FGC members to honor state and local officials.

Blue Star Marker of 55 American flags were donated in honor of local veterans by area residents.

Local veterans’ names are displayed on a bronze plaque in the park.

The garden club members oversee the upkeep of the flower beds, plantings and maintenance of the flags. These must be replaced periodically.

Sun, rain and storms take a toll on the fabric in just one year, and replacing them is done by contributions and fundraising events.

The FGC 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, District V. There are 25 active members and two honorary members.

The FGC has many other ongoing projects, such as maintaining The Louisiana Avenue Park, planters at the Concordia Parish Library, Riverland Medical Center, Ferriday Police Station and the downtown area flower beds.

The club provides seasonal decorations, 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 co-sponsors with the Community Service Club the Golden Broom award project.

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

We take pride in our club, the members and the participation of the residents of this area. Thank you, most of all, residents and supporters of the FGC and its projects.

Mary Beth Whitehead is a member of Ferriday Garden Club.