On Sunday, December 16, we will commemorate the history of Bywater, once the largest site for the importation of tropical fruit in the U.S., with a neighborhood celebration called Bananas for Bywater. It will take place from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the 700 block of Clouet Street.
The centerpiece of the day’s events will include a panel discussion at 1 p.m. featuring some of the living legends who reside in our historic community, including Joe Frady, Roy Markey, and others to be announced. The discussion will be recorded and archived at The Historic New Orleans Collection. Oral historian Mark Cave will be on hand to schedule life story interviews with other longtime Bywater residents for potential additional archiving and preservation as part of THNOC’s holdings.
Neighbors can also offer up historical notes on specific residences and businesses via an interactive map activity sponsored by Eskew+Dumez+Ripple.
The Tigermen Den at the corner of Royal and Clouet will host the archival events. Additional activities slated at the adjacent Clouet Gardens include The Great Bywater Banana Bake-Off (you could win the fabulous, one-of-a-kind Bywater Banana Split head dress pictured here!); children’s art activities; burgers, beer and banana daiquiris for sale provided by The Junction; and live music featuring Papa Mali to close out the celebration. Attendees are encouraged to post on social media using #BananasForBywater2018.
The bake-off is an open competition. Entries will be accepted until noon—just show up with a dish featuring bananas as the key ingredient and register (five servings minimum for judges).
Neighbors First for Bywater is coordinating this event with support from the 2018 NOLA Foundation. Donations will be collected that day for both Neighbors First for Bywater and Clouet Gardens.
For more information or to volunteer, contact us!
