GiGi’s March Magic: World Down Syndrome Day & Our Annual Crawfish Boil

March was packed with celebration, connection, and community spirit at GiGi’s Playhouse New Orleans! From honoring World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) to getting our hands (and hearts) messy at our Annual Crawfish Boil, we made memories that reminded us just how powerful acceptance and inclusion can be.

🌍 World Down Syndrome Day: Celebration & Awareness

WDSD continues to grow each year here in New Orleans, and 2025 was a milestone year! We kicked things off with proclamations recognizing WDSD from St. Bernard Parish, Jefferson Parish, and the City of Kenner, helping raise visibility and support across our local communities.

On March 21st, the official World Down Syndrome Day, we gathered at the Playhouse for a UN World Down Syndrome Day Proclamation Watch Party. Afterwards, we made a delicious pit stop at the Ruby Slipper Café on Veterans, where we enjoyed free French toast bites with every order — a sweet way to keep the celebration going while spreading awareness with every bite!

🎤 Sing It Loud: Karaoke Fun at the Playhouse

Back at GiGi’s, the celebration continued with one of our favorite activities — karaoke! Participants grabbed the mic, sang their hearts out, and cheered each other on in a joyful afternoon of music and friendship. Whether it was a solo performance or a group jam, everyone brought the house down with their confidence and spirit.

🧦 The Ultimate Sock Fashion Show with DSAGNO

We then joined forces with our friends at the Down Syndrome Association of Greater New Orleans (DSAGNO) for a crowd-favorite event: the WDSD Sock Fashion Show! Everyone came dressed in their wildest, most colorful, and creatively mismatched socks to walk the runway and raise awareness in style.

Participants strutted down the catwalk, showing off their socks, striking poses, and celebrating self-expression with flair. It was a fun and inclusive way to honor what makes us all unique!

The party kept going with our incredible line dance leader Ms. Sharon, who had everyone moving and grooving to the beat. The dance floor was packed from start to finish!

Throughout the event, guests had the opportunity to bid on original artwork created by our talented participants — both in person and online — with proceeds benefiting both GiGi’s NOLA and DSAGNO.

We are deeply grateful to Folgers for sponsoring WDSD and making our Sock Giveaway possible. Thanks to their support, we delivered awareness socks to local hospitals, clinics, and schools, sparking conversations and spreading love across the city.

And as the sun set on an unforgettable day, the Superdome and Crescent City Connection lit up in blue and yellow, officially putting New Orleans on the global map for the “Light Up the World” for WDSD Campaign! 💡💙💛 See the locations and join the movement.

🦐 Community, Crawfish & Celebration: Our Annual Crawfish Boil

Just when we thought March couldn’t get better — March 29th brought the return of our Annual Crawfish Boil, generously sponsored by Louisiana Seafood.

We served up 380 pounds of crawfish and fixings, professionally prepared by Sal’s Riverside Seafood & Catering, and it was a feast to remember! From juicy crawfish to all the trimmings, every bite was a celebration of Louisiana flavor and community connection.

Big love to Laney and Lynn, who donated the most adorable and delicious GiGi’s and crawfish-themed cookies — they were almost too cute to eat!

A huge thanks to American Legion Post 350 in Metairie for hosting us with the perfect venue. Rain or shine, they made sure the party didn’t stop, hosting an art market, organizing the Boy Scouts’ hot dog and hamburger sale, and dishing up fried fish and French fries to round out the feast.

And of course, the soundtrack to our day was thanks to DJ Danny Martin, who kept the energy up and the dance floor alive — our participants and friends danced from start to finish!

💛 Thank You to Our Sponsors & Supporters

None of this would be possible without the support of our amazing sponsors, volunteers, and community members. From proclamations to French toast, from socks to crawfish — every moment helped shine a light on the beauty and potential of individuals with Down syndrome.

Thank you for celebrating, supporting, and standing with us. Let’s keep the momentum going — together!