The Hope Festival took place Saturday at Joe Brown Park in New Orleans East.

Coaches, community activists and some of the best basketball players in the area came together for the 10th annual Hope Festival. The 3 vs. 3 tournaments boasted a $1,500 check. Advertisement

Organizers said the real prize is getting the youth together in an effort to end violence in the community.

Lavar Elzy, the organizer also known as Calliope Var, said, "Year after year, the Hope Fest got bigger. I started off doing it in my community for relief. We want to put hope to the whole city, not just one contained spot."

Right outside that gym, people packed the park for the NOLA East Festival. This year's theme is about building bridges to a better future.

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