Tonda Corrente is the self-proclaimed cheese lady.
“I am married to the cheese game, it’s not a very far stretch," said Corrente, who owns La Femme Du Fromage, an artisan cheese shop inside Audubon Park's East End Market.
- Audubon Park Garden District hosting Bastille Day celebration
- Neighborhood says it brings community together
So for Corrente, paying homage to France by throwing a Bastille Day (French National Day) party on Friday night was a must.
“Last Bastille Day was really a tragedy, and it was really just on the shadow of our own tragedy here in Orlando," Corrente shared.
More than 80 people were killed and hundreds were wounded in the July 14, 2016 terrorist attack in Nice, France.
Corrente says honoring the memory of those impacted by the Nice attack also serves as a way to stand Orlando United.
“We here in Orlando totally understand what they’re going through, and I think this is a really great way to bring community together and celebrate the world," Corrente explained.
Audubon Park is a neighborhood with a main street district primarily made up of small businesses, and it’s that spirit of independence keeping it that way.
“Something neat that we can do here in the community, something that sets Audubon Park aside," Corrente said.
The Audubon Park Garden Main Street District will continue celebrating Bastille Day on Saturday with music, food and baguette fencing.