Latest news with #communityfestival
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Jeanerette hosts Gun Violence Awareness Walk and community festival
JEANERETTE, La. () — In recognition of National Gun Violence Awareness Month, the city of Jeanerette hosted a walk and community festival. Families affected by gun violence walked 1.7 miles while chanting the words 'stop gun violence.' Ashly Drexler and Demetra Smith, members of the Forever Oshaun Foundation, organized the event as a way to help people cope with the grief of losing a loved one to gun violence. The foundation was created after Smith's son, 22-year-old Oshaun Smith, was killed in a shooting in Jeanerette in February. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now After the walk, families gathered for a community festival that offered food, games and valuable resources, such as mentorship opportunities, aimed at supporting those in need of guidance and connection. Smith says they are working to put a stop to gun violence, something she says has occurred in their city for far too long. 'We just want them to know that there are other ways to end things besides just fighting,' said Smith. 'Talk it out instead of using other outlets, instead of using guns.' According to Drexler, nearly 300 people signed up for the event to spread awareness about victims of gun violence. 'We got the foundation up and running,' said Drexler. 'April 1 registration opened, I as the president was expecting 75 people, my aunt was expecting about 100, as of May 23 when registration closed, we had 264 registrants paid.' Drexler says she hopes the event shows the youth that adults can come together peacefully. She also hopes this inspires them to become a force for good in their own communities. 'If the young people see that adults can come together, maybe one day they'll realize that it's not always conflict, and they can come together as well and be a positive influence in the community,' said Drexler. Jeanerette hosts Gun Violence Awareness Walk and community festival Storm chances increase with potential severe weather this week Baldwin man arrested in connection with drug bust Acadiana's ADO SOUL set to perform at BET Awards Red Carpet Pre-Show Wisconsin man crashes into gas station sign after high-speed pursuit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
What can I expect at Luton's two Eid festivals?
Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend two community Eid al-Adha festival and prayer events in Luton. The special celebrations for Muslims will take place at Stockwood Park on Friday and Saturday and Wardown Park from Friday to Sunday. Due to the growth in their popularity, Luton Borough Council said it was putting traffic control measures in place. Here is a guide to the colourful, family-friendly events. What are the timings? There are two events: the Inspire Eid event at Stockwood Park takes place from 13:00-21:00 BST on Friday and Saturday. The 1Eid event at Wardown Park will start with Eid prayers for men and women at the cricket pitch at 10:00 on will then continue on Friday from 12:00-21:30 with fireworks on Popes Meadow. On Saturday and Sunday events start at 13:00 and continues until 21:30. Which roads are impacted? Javed Hussain, a Labour councillor and the deputy leader of Luton Borough Council, said: "Whilst it's great that communities are coming together to celebrate on such a special occasion, the increasing popularity of these events are putting increasing strain on local infrastructure and the road network."We understand the frustrations of residents which is why we are stepping in to put in place measures to mitigate disruptions and ensure safety for those living near to the events and those attending. "For those not attending we strongly advise they avoid the areas of the two festivals during the weekend."For Stockwood Park there will be no waiting or loading restrictions in place during parts of the day and evenings for Friday and Saturday and signed diversions will be in place. The roads impacted are: Farley Hill RoadLondon RoadCutenhoe RoadWhipperley WayNewlands RoadThere will also be a closure in place on Whitehill Avenue, except for residents. For Wardown Park, the same applies, from Friday to Sunday with restrictions on the follow roads: Old Bedford RoadNew Bedford RoadSections of connecting roads - Cromwell Hill, Stockingstone Road and Montrose Avenue What can you expect at the event? Inspire FM, which is behind the Stockwood Park event, said there will be a free outdoor cinema running throughout the day inside the Discovery Centre, offering family friendly films. As tens of thousands attended last year's event, it was expecting the same number this year. There will also be rides, foods from around the world, a "bustling bazaar, and fun games and activities for the whole family". The organisation has partnered with Luton Foodbank, to provide free ride tokens to families who need them, it added. For the event at Wardown Park there will be funfair rides, an urban beach, donkey rides, circus performers with fire juggles, a bazaar and fireworks. Where should you park? At the Stockwood Park event parking is free at the top of the park near Farley Farm Road. The usual entrance to Stockwood Park will be exit only, and there will be no access via London Road, organisers said. At Wardown Park, pre-booked payable VIP parking is available at Popes Meadow. Organisers said there was "absolutely no parking on roads or pavements". The council said anyone attending "should consider using public transport or car share". "Event-goers must park considerately and safely, or they will receive a fine or have their car removed," it added. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Hull City Council promises £5m for cultural projects
A local authority has pledged £5m to support cultural activity in Hull over the next five City Council said the funds would be used to help deliver established events such as the Freedom Festival, Hull Fair, Humber St Sesh and Pride, as well as develop a "new community-led festival". It also plans to increase activities in a report, the authority said £1m would be spent annually over the next five years, including on staffing, a music plan and a "parks events fund".Councillor Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for culture and leisure, said the investment would help the city's economy and increase civic pride. In its report, the council recommended the creation of eight full-time posts to support "events delivery" in parks, marketing, commercialisation, city centre management, strategic planning and £1m annual funding would include £420,000 for staffing and £100,000 each for an "annual music plan", developing the community-led festival and the parks events fund. The report stated that the investment would "help to maintain momentum for the legacy of City of Culture 2017".The council said it would form two new boards – the Hull Culture & Heritage Partnership Board and Hull Music Board – to facilitate the delivery of its said: "This additional funding recognises the importance of culture and heritage as a driver for regeneration, community pride and cohesion, and its role in raising aspirations and attainment."It offers both an economic return and a social value to our residents. Successful places have connected the role of culture into their identity, maximising its contribution to the economy and creating a place that people love to live, work, study and visit." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
