FORT LAUDERDALE — Northwest Second Street was blocked between Seventh Avenue and Ninth Avenue on Saturday, March 17, as more than 200 neighborhood residents and others took part in the “St. Patty’s Day – Family Fun Day and Block Party – Old School vs. New School.”
The city of Fort Lauderdale Parks & Recreation, Pride of Fort Lauderdale ELKS Lodge #652, and the Boys and Girls Club of Broward County, Nan Knox Unit, sponsored the celebration.
Those who attended had a lot to do, from watching the talented Warfield Park Warriors Double Dutch team perform to face painting, arts and crafts, checkers, Candyland and potato sack races.
The Old School vs. New School “Tug O’War” ended in a 1-1 tie as both the adults and the children where victorious.
Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Bobby DuBose and Fort Lauderdale Police District Commander Anthony Williams, who were instrumental in making the event a success, smiled as neighbors enjoyed the afternoon’s events.
Parents were provided with information regarding summer programs with the city’s Parks & Recreation department and the Boys and Girls Club’s Nan Knox Unit.
The party also launched the official pledge campaign led by the Pride of Fort Lauderdale ELKS Lodge #652 to raise money to pay program fees for more than 200 students to attend both the Boys & Girls Club Nan Knox Unit and the city of Fort Lauderdale Parks & Recreation Aquatics and Tennis programs for summer and fall 2012-2013.
Grand Exalted Ruler Roschell Franklin and Daughter Ruler Pamela Williams said ELKS Lodge #652 was committed to the Fort Lauderdale community and to the positive enrichment of its youth.
The recreation department displayed its “Show Mobile” stage for entertainment provided for the day. The Fort Lauderdale Police Neighborhood Action team command post helped to control traffic flow and also joined the children in demonstrating their double-dutch techniques. Music was provided by DJ Flash (Nelson Flores) of Miami.
Other organizations and individuals who helped to make the event a success included Nadine Hankerson of MetroBroward Economic Development Corporation; Petula Burks, city of Fort Lauderdale; Barbara Barber and Nigeria Livingston and their staff, Fort Lauderdale Parks & Recreation; officers from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department; Coach Markes Thomas and his staff from the Boys and Girls Club (Nan Knox Unit) of Broward County; Marvina Campbell and Nelson Flores of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Ltd.; Zeta Chi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Broward County; and Florida State Association of Temples – Daughter Ruler Lou Alyse W. Dean, Pride of Fort Lauderdale ELKS Lodge #652.
Photo: COURTESY OF MARVINA CAMPBELL
BLOCKBUSTER SUCCESS: Two girls in facepaint were among the more than 200 people who enjoyed the festivities on Saturday as parts of Northwest Second Street in Fort Lauderdale were blocked off for a special community event.
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