Inaugural Beignet Fest To Raise Awareness, Funds For Children With Autism

NEW ORLEANS – Today, the newly-established Tres Doux Foundation (which means “very sweet,” in French) announced the first ever Beignet Fest, which will take place on Saturday, October 8, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Lafayette Square.

         “We are thrilled to announce the inaugural Beignet Fest, which will be free and open to the public to celebrate New Orleans’ most iconic dessert: the beignet, featuring both sweet and savory treats,” said festival founder and event producer Sherwood Collins. “We have been overwhelmed with enthusiasm and support as we have told our story and asked for help to start this festival so we can offer more programs to autistic children in our community. We can’t wait for everyone to come out and experience the fest on October 8!”

         Amy and Sherwood Collins created Beignet Fest to raise awareness and funds for autism programs in New Orleans, with a portion of food and beverage sales benefiting the Tres Doux Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to celebrate, embrace and enhance the lives of children with developmental delays and disabilities by presenting them as whole beings, and to support organizations that do the same. Today, Centers for Disease Control estimates that 1 in 68 children (and 1 in 42 boys) is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined.

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         “Through our journey with our son, Liam, who is on the autism spectrum, we found out there’s a gap in accessible programming for kids on the spectrum, and we wanted to change that,” said Amy. “So, we are doing what we do best – creating and managing a festival with amazing food and music!”

         In true New Orleans tradition, Beignet Fest will feature a myriad of restaurants and musical entertainment. The festival will include well-known local and regional performers, such as Big Sam’s Funky Nation, John Papa Gros Band, Los Po-Boy-Citos, The Confetti Park Players Chorus and Alexandra Scott. Local and regional restaurants serving up savory and sweet beignets include Bread & Circus (Lafayette, LA), Café Du Monde, Ye Olde College Inn, The Ruby Slipper, Café Beignet, New Orleans Coffee & Beignet and more. Awards will be given at the festival for best sweet, best savory, most original and crowd-favorite beignets. There will also be family-friendly activities in a Kid’s Village, sponsored by Ochsner Hospital For Children. 

         “We are thrilled to be a part of this inaugural event to support such an important cause,” said Dr. William Lennarz, System Chair of Pediatrics, Ochsner Hospital for Children. “There are many challenges and limitations that come with autism and having the proper treatment and support system in place with access to interactive activities supported by The Kids Village is a step in the right direction. This is a true testament to the commitment and dedication towards the children and their families who are affected by this disorder/diagnosis.”

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Sunni LeBeouf

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         Beignet Fest is made possible by sponsors including Ochsner Hospital For Children, French Market Coffee, Southern Eagle’s Urban South Brewery, Gambel Communications, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, New Orleans Coffee & Beignet Co and Café Du Monde. 

         For more information

 

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