[StBernard] Grand Opening and Christmas at the Farmers' Market at Aycock Barn brings vendors, guests and Santa

[Westley Annis]

Grand Opening and Christmas at the Farmers’ Market at Aycock Barn brings
vendors, guests and Santa

 

St. Bernard Parish President Craig P. Taffaro, Jr., the Parish Council and
the Tourist Commission held a Christmas Party complete with vendors,
refreshments and tours after the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Aycock
Barn/Open Air Market in the historic district of Old Arabi. 

 

“Yes, you are in St. Bernard,” St. Bernard Parish President Craig P.
Taffaro, Jr. said to officials and guests gathered at the opening of a
stunning new facility that represents a key part of the revitalization of
the Old Arabi Historic District.

 

“FEMA is proud of the $2.1 million that we were able to contribute to the
rebuilding of the Aycock Barn,” FEMA Louisiana Recovery Office External
Affairs Director Andrea Davis said. “This is an amazing facility—a great
place to bring your families, to shop and to really feel the essence that is
St. Bernard. It truly is a great place to come celebrate the Parish.”  

 

The project at 409 Aycock Street involves $2.18 million of FEMA funded work
to convert the Aycock Barn into a family-friendly open air market complete
with vendors and pop-up fountains for the children, Taffaro said.

 

Taffaro said he expects the facility to be the anchor for the entire Old
Arabi Historic District Restoration Project that includes upcoming planned
renovations to the Maumus Center, Cavorac House and Old Arabi Jail.  The
site houses the St. Bernard Tourism and Visitors’ Center, has interior space
for small gatherings and can be used for neighborhood concerts.

 

Councilman Ray Lauga, who represents District A that includes the Old Arabi
Historic District, said he is excited about what the Aycock Barn Open Air
Market will mean for Old Arabi.

 

“We are very fortunate that Aycock is in the dead center of Old Arabi
because it will be the center of the revitalization of the community. I am
looking forward to it being a great place to meet neighbors for the farmers
market and other events.

 

Visitors at the event were greeted by a variety of open air market vendors,
including those selling produce, truffles, pastries, cakes, muffalettas, and
hot sauce. Crafts and product booths offered home décor, chimineas, candles,
massage oils, cookbooks, a variety of local photographs, including ones of
Old Arabi, artwork, ornaments, purses, jewelry and more. The Chalmette
Elementary School Bell Choir performed and Santa made an appearance

St. Bernard Tourism Director Elizabeth “Gidget” McDougall thanked her
Tourism Commission in their efforts for tourism, and specifically, in
decorating the facility for the event . Commissioner members include Lauren
Gibson, Lena Nunez, Chris San Marco, Gayle Buckley, Claire Henderson, Susan
McNeil and Alberta Lewis. She also thanked Tourism Assistant Faith Moran and
Tourism Intern Ashley Proze.

 

The facility boasts amenities such as an ice machine, electric outlets and
stainless steel sink sanitary area for vendor support in an aesthetically
stunning building. It also includes data lines so vendors will be able to
accept credit or debit cards for payment. 

 

The facility incorporated the use of historic bricks that were in storage
and were once part of the De Le Ronde Ruins. The bricks are on the front
walkway and make up the columns of the feature fountain. The plans are to
use Community Development Block Grant funds for future expansion efforts. 

 

In addition to McDougall, at the grand opening, Taffaro thanked FEMA, the
State GOHSEP, CAO David Dysart, Recovery Department Michael Dorris, Jr. and
staff, the site general contractor, ICON, the Sizeler Thompson Brown
architect and engineering firm, CDM Overall FEMA Projects’ Manager Dennis
Tauzin, CDM Project Manager Terry Lopez, Public Works Director Logan Martin
and his staff, and Public Works Resident Inspector Keith LaGrange and
Tourist Director Gidget McDougall.

 

For more information about Recovery and Growth in St. Bernard Parish, visit
our website at www.sbpg.net
<https://mail.sbpg.net/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.sbpg.net/> .

 

###