Gardere Initiative to Host Second Annual Kite Festival

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Gardere Initiative is set to host its second annual Kite Festival on March 29, offering a day of family-friendly activities, local cuisine, and community engagement at Hartley Bay Park.

The festival, running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature kite decorating, a competition, and various entertainment options. Attendees can purchase kites upon arrival, with an opportunity to customize them before taking to the skies over the 14-acre park. Local vendors and food, including jambalaya prepared by a nearby men’s club, will add to the festivities.

"We are so excited to bring Baton Rouge its very own kite festival," said Dr. Muriel Harrison, executive director of the Gardere Initiative. "It’s a great way to bring the community together for a fun-filled day."

The event, now recognized as the East Baton Rouge Parish Kite Festival, serves as a fundraiser for the Gardere Initiative’s after-school programs, which support approximately 80 children from Monday through Thursday. The organization, founded in 2006, has played a pivotal role in community revitalization, contributing to a 70% reduction in crime and the absence of a homicide since May 2024.

"We have received tremendous support from the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, local churches, and organizations like BREC," Harrison said. "It’s amazing to see the transformation of this community."

Entry to the festival will be managed through a ticketing system, with kites available for two tickets and food ranging from two to five tickets. Each ticket costs $1.

The event will take place at 1702 Gardere Lane, distinguishing it from a similarly named park on Zurek Lane. Organizers encourage families to attend and make the festival an annual tradition.