For years Lynhaven Retreat has been a place of solace and recovery for the women who live on site. Soon the 18-acre property in Hammond will mark Lynhaven’s official opening as an events center under the New Orleans Mission with the inaugural Abundance Fall Fest. This festival is a free, family-friendly event that will include live music, a chili cookoff, food vendors, arts & crafts and a kids’ zone. The festival will take place on Nov. 16, but don’t worry, LSU fans—Lynhaven’s Abundance Fall Fest will show the tigers on a big-screen display.

“Since taking over the property a little over a year ago, we have been renovating the site andtraining the women in our Discipleship Program for Lynhaven’s official grand opening as an events center,” said David Bottner, the New Orleans Mission Executive Director. “The Abundance Fall Fest is our way of culminating that journey and showing the community that we are here and open for business. Lynhaven has hosted weddings and special events for more than 25 years and has a reputation for quality cuisine and excellent service. We look forward to continuing that legacy under the umbrella of the New Orleans Mission.”

Through the New Orleans Mission’s Women’s Discipleship Program at Lynhaven, women in physical, emotional or spiritual distress can live at Lynhaven while they learn vocational skills to help in their growth towards self-reliance. Lynhaven is host to over 30 women who live on site.

The festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guests are allowed to taste the contestants’ chili from 1 to 3 p.m. The winning team will receive a catered football party for up to 40 guests. Lynhaven is located at 21669 Old Covington Hwy. in Hammond. For more information visit the New Orleans Mission website, here.