On July 29, River Ranch neighbors and Stroll business partners spent the evening exploring Downtown Lafayette. We kicked things off at Magnolia Pantry, where Kevin Blanchard with the Downtown Association began our walking tour. Kevin shared stories about downtown's history, the buildings that have stood the test of time, and all the exciting things still to come, including plans for a new downtown hotel. It was fun to see our city through a different lens, and Kevin's passion for Downtown Lafayette was contagious.

After the tour, everyone headed to Sundays Soda Fountain to relax over a delicious meal and good conversation. We enjoyed French beignets, tomato bisque soup, pepper jelly spinach salad, and a choice of crawfish pasta or fried chicken with white sausage gravy before topping it all off with specialty cocktails and desserts. More than anything, the evening was a great reminder that some of the best nights are simply spent getting to know your neighbors while supporting the local businesses that make our community such a special place.

"I enjoyed Kevin Blanchard's enthusiasm and energy during the downtown tour. Everyone seemed excited about what's to come for downtown. The meal at Sundays was really good. The beignets were the overall winner, though! Sundays had a nice atmosphere with a good vibe. And we could hear each other, which was a plus." — Leslie Turk

"I enjoyed the Downtown Lafayette tour very much and thought it was informative and fun. The food at Sundays was excellent. I also loved the atmosphere." — Shari Jung

"We enjoyed exploring downtown and seeing all the development in place! Y'all come visit downtown—it has a lot to offer! My favorite dish at Sundays was the fried chicken dish with gravy. Sundays had a nice atmosphere, and the customer service from the manager was great!" — Annie Perret

"I enjoyed learning new things about the history and future of Downtown Lafayette and meeting new people. All of the food at Sundays was very good, especially the spinach salad! The atmosphere was cozy and inviting." — Randi Cambre

"I loved the event last night. It was so different from what we are accustomed to, and the tour guide was so passionate about Downtown Lafayette. It made me want to be involved! I loved the atmosphere, loved the wait staff, and loved the owner of Sundays. Everyone was so positive, helpful, and quick. All the food was delicious, and so was the Bloody Mary. The beignet was probably my favorite." — Lisa Ferguson