Frenchtown Get Down celebrates FAMU

Friday’s Frenchtown Get Down was a community celebration.
Photo Submitted by Tychae Grays

For over 20 years FAMU and FSU have enjoyed the Downtown Get Down, a block party the Friday before the first home game.  Over the years FSU has separated itself from the event and had smaller events in place of the Downtown Get Down.

This year the event before FAMU’s first home football game was transformed into the Frenchtown Get Down because of the location change from downtown to the center of Frenchtown. The celebration lasted four hours, from 6 to 10 p.m. There were food vendors, clothing and an assortment of other vendors and live music.

Several people who attended the event raved about how much of a success it was. Nick Gandy, a former FAMU student described the event as “amazing” and said he was excited for next year.

“I’ve been to the Downtown Get Down and the Frenchtown Get Down is incredible. I hope they keep it up. I love the music and to see all the people out here tonight is unbelievable,” Gandy said. “My favorite part about the event is seeing the community together. I’m a huge advocate for community events and this is a wonderful community event.”

Gandy and others appreciated seeing the people dancing and enjoying the music. Moses McFadden went to FAMU from 1960-1963 and eventually became a FAMU police officer and retired from the school. McFadden came out to enjoy the festivities with his wife and son, who is also a FAMU graduate.

“This is my first time at any Get Down and this event was a success. Look at how many people are here,” McFadden said. “My favorite part is the community togetherness, you see the FAMU family within this event.”

McFadden will be returning next year after seeing the turnout for this year’s Frenchtown Get Down.

According to FAMU professor Chris Daniels, “They created the Frenchtown Get Down to bring FAMU fans out to Frenchtown to interact with vendors and bring more business to this part of the neighborhood. The reason it is in Frenchtown is that this used to be a historically black neighborhood so they want to try to economically revitalize the neighborhood.”

The history within Frenchtown made it the ideal place for the celebration to take place. The event was a success and embodied the true essence of what FAMU represents as, a family. Bringing the community together allowed people to come together for a revitalizing experience.