NEW ORLEANS – FestiGals 2016 impacted the lives of local women by raising more than $35,000 for the Cancer Association of Greater New Orleans (CAGNO), Breastoration and a new beneficiary, The New Orleans Family Justice Center, during its July 28-30 weekend celebration of women.
CAGNO and Breastoration, two organizations that support women during cancer treatment and recovery, were the beneficiaries of the Bodacious Bra Challenge and the Bodacious Bras for a Cause Brunch on Saturday, July 30, where three top fundraising bras, five original works of cancer-inspired art, and 50+ decorated bras were auctioned live or available for purchase. Later that day, nearly 1,000 women sashayed through the streets of the Warehouse District in the annual Stiletto Stroll Second-Line Parade, raising funds and awareness for The New Orleans Family Justice Center and shining light on domestic violence in the GLO themed parade, led by media celebrity Angela Hill as Grand Diva.
FestiGals founder Diane Lyons said she feels blessed and honored to expand FestiGals support of women in the greater New Orleans community to three different charities. “Knowing that so many people have enabled our efforts to raise funds for these important women’s causes through their participation in FestiGals is just heart-warming,” Lyons said. “And, we’re still counting and accepting donations.”
The four-day event was held from Thursday, July 28, through Saturday, July 30, at the JW Marriott Hotel and included the New Orleans Women’s Conference with headliner Carla Harris, presented by Morgan Stanley, the Bodacious Bras for a Cause Brunch and Auction (BBFC), and the Stiletto Stroll. Approximately 2,200 women participated in 26 events that showcased New Orleans and supported FestiGals mission to “inspire, connect and celebrate women while supporting causes important to their well-being”.
FestiGals Girlfriend Weekend Getaway is New Orleans’ first and only women’s event of its kind in which women from all backgrounds from all across the country are inspired and empowered in a festive environment including the city’s largest women’s second line parades.
Founded in 2011 and produced by Diane B. Lyons and ACCENT- DMC, FestiGals, Inc. has collectively raised more than $130,000 through the highly acclaimed Bodacious Bras for a Cause Luncheon & Auction and Stiletto Stroll to benefit women’s causes. Endorsed by the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau and the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, FestiGals annually attracts more than 2,200 women from around the U.S. and Greater New Orleans area to the summer event.
Dates for FestiGals 2017 will be announced shortly.
