News - Local

Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

Pass Christian holds the first Picnic in the Park

PASS CHRISTIAN — With picnic baskets and blankets in tow, residents of Pass Christian spent Sunday afternoon with friends, listening to some Southern-style gospel music at War Memorial Park.

It was the first year the Parks and Recreation Commission held Picnic in the Park for the community.

The Barber Brothers, a locally known quartet of traditional gospel singers, and the Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church Men’s Choir from Pass Christian performed

“Community is everything,” said Alderman Renee Brooks. “People came out and braved the cool winds on the beach and I love that.

“Spending time with your community and the people around you is what it is all about.”

The Barber Brothers, who are based in Springfield, La., have a family tradition of singing Southern gospel music in churches, fairs and festivals, going back to 1968.

“The Barber Brothers helped us rebuild the Gulf Palm Villas here in Pass Christian after the storm and wanted to come here to give something back again,” said Mary Bourdin of the Parks and Recreation Commission.

“We really want this to become an annual event. We have a lot of activities here in the park but nothing like this.”

The Barber Brothers travel the South contributing to missions, charities, music camps and the Coast to help with rebuilding efforts.

“We made a lot of friends down here after the storm and we just want to come back and kind of welcome everyone to the community since the rebuilding efforts,” said Jim Barber of The Barber Brothers.

“We want to help with everything that has to do with rebuilding this area.”

The Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church Men’s Choir performed for the event to spread a message of fellowship.

“This is what we do as a church, and it is important to fellowship with different people and cultures in your community,” said Robert H. Stewart of the Goodwill choir.