Local festival offers entertainment, assistance for residents
BATON ROUGE - A crowd packed itself into the Anna T. Jordan Community Center, jamming out to blues music Saturday.
The Scotlandville Community Music and Heritage Fest, which is usually held outdoors, was forced inside after rain swept through the area.
But this typically-outdoor festival is not just about fun and games, but about providing services that people need, including health check-ups.
"It's a lot of people in our community that can't afford insurance or don't have insurance and they can't afford to have a doctor," said Yolanda Day with the Scotlandville Alumni Association.
Because of that, the festival offers services like free eye exams for children getting ready to go back school and as well as those just staring school for the first time.
"When you've got a child that can't see the board at school, they do poorly," John Gossman with the Brusly Lions Club.
The festival also plays host to modern medicine techniques, as well as consumer services to repair your credit.
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"I'm just here to get information because I've got problems with my credit," Woodrow Arthur, Jr. said.
Finally, the event even had free legal help for flood victims, still needing assistance with paperwork almost a year after the disaster.
"We're helping homeowners secure clear titles to their property so they can go through process and receive restoration funds," said Gerrem Sias with the Louisiana Appleseed program.
Without a doubt, the Scotlandville Festival provides good times. But residents say it's even better when they can also get their eyes exams and credit checked all at the same time.