The Perfect Gentlemen Social Aid and Pleasure Club and the local Nation of Islam community will host their annual Father’s Day second line parade on Sunday, June 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. The theme of the event is “Prayers For Peace.” Organizers also are using the outing to bring awareness to men about the dangers of prostate cancer and to encourage them to have regular prostate exams.

Singer Traion Lyons, son of Travis Lyons, on the right with the Perfect Gentlemen SA&PC. Provided photo.

“Our city needs a healing,” said Travis Lyons, President of The Perfect Gentlemen. “We have to change the culture of violence in New Orleans, and prayer is a good place to start.” Lyons is also using the event as a platform to highlight the dangers of prostate cancer. “Prostate cancer is treatable if you catch it in time. So, it’s important to have regular check ups,” he said.
Lyons is inviting everyone to come out and celebrate fathers on Father’s Day. He adds, “In the name of peace, please leave your arguments and your guns at home.”

The parade will feature The Perfect Gentlemen Brass Band. The route starts at 2626 Magnolia St and proceeds west on Magnolia to Louisiana Avenue. At Louisiana Avenue. the parade will turn right and travel to Claiborne Avenue. At Claiborne the parade will turn right again moving to Jackson Avenue, where a right turn on Jackson Avenue will take the procession to King’s Fashion where it will stop momentarily. The second line will then move down Jackson Ave. to Simon Bolivar where it will turn right and proceed to Washington Ave. It will then move from Washington Ave. back to Magnolia and 4th Streets where it will disband.