Fallon Dupard –
Director of Programs & Community Engagement
What are you most looking forward to in your new role?
I’m excited to help expand how people experience The Grand by creating welcoming, accessible programs that cultivate curiosity and creativity. I’m especially excited about connecting with collegiate students and helping build a space where they feel connected and inspired. Seeing Fences at The Fabulous Fox Theatre while I was in college helped shape my love for theatre, and I’m passionate about creating those kinds of moments for others.
If you had to pick just one song you could play for the rest of time, what would it be?
Devotion by Earth, Wind & Fire. The song is a constant reminder to open your heart, lead with love, and always strive to uplift and make a better way.
What’s an advice you received that you keep close to your heart/try to live by?
Lead with curiosity. Listening first always makes the work better.
Do you have a hidden talent?
I grew up in New Orleans and played the trumpet in marching band, concert band, and jazz ensemble, and I still pick it up from time to time.
With the annual Grand Kids Festival just behind us: what’s your takeaway?
This year marked the 30th anniversary of the festival and my very first in this role, making it an especially meaningful celebration rooted in community and youth participation across the island and beyond. With a whimsical Seuss-inspired theme, new additions like touch a fire truck with the Fire Department; and beloved traditions like the storytelling tipi, petting zoo, bounce houses, and more, it’s both a celebration of legacy and a joyful step forward. One of the most special things about this festival
is how it blends tradition with new energy, creating something that feels both nostalgic and fresh each year. Whether it’s your first time or your thirtieth, there’s always something new to discover, and that’s what keeps families coming back. See you next year for the 31st Grand Kids Fest!