Subscribe
Community
Event celebrates family, diversity
NAACP, JPPM celebrate 13th Annual African American Family Community Day
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
 Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photo by DARWIN WEIGEL
Faith Russell, 3, of Clinton and Lauren Daye, 12, of Chesapeake Beach work on making jellyfish Saturday at the Morgan State University education booth at the 13th annual African American Family Community Day at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum. The family event is sponsored by the park and the Calvert County NAACP.
|
E-Mail This Article
‘‘It’s a free day where people can learn about African-American heritage and have some fun,” said Megan Williams of Prince Frederick. ‘‘We are always changing every year, with fresh ideas and new things.” Williams is the event coordinator for the St. Leonard park and museum.
The event was put together by Ruth Reid of Huntingtown, the membership chair of the NAACP. The aim of the NAACP is to seek equality and justice for all people regardless of race. Reid encourages people to join the NAACP because the group fights for the rights of all people.
The event was started in 1992 by a ladies group called The Links until 1994. Then the NAACP took over and was welcomed by park officials to have their event at the park.
‘‘Last year we had over 700 people,” Reid said. ‘‘We try to have entertainment that people are familiar with, like the Orioles. We always try to have a gospel group. Last year we had Reverend Flowers.”
Reid also encouraged participants to consider joining the NAACP and had applications to be able to register to vote.
‘‘We think people need to voice their opinion through their vote,” Reid said.
People from all over Southern Maryland came to spend time with family and friends.
‘‘I always come here with my grandmother and it’s really fun,” said Trinity Mitchell, 12, of Huntingtown. ‘‘I usually get to be in the fashion show, but not this year.”
‘‘My wife and I usually come every year,” said Tyrone Waul of Broomes Island. ‘‘This year she is running a booth, so I have been walking around. I like to see people having fun and what kind of food there is to eat.”
Some hoped that the meaning of the day would come through to their younger family members, who could have the option of jumping on the moon bounce, taking part in an oxen ride or participating in a bike rodeo sponsored by the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office to receive one of two free 10-speed bicycles.
‘‘We need to know about our history as black Americans,” said Lee Mackall of Owings. ‘‘Especially for the young black kids who need to know where the culture started. I like the togetherness of the people and it’s good to bring your kids with you.”
While attendees ate and shopped among the many vendors, they were entertained with the sounds of ‘‘The Orioles,” an old doo-wop group that has been around for 60 years and with its many members has been in the rock and roll hall of fame.
‘‘We just sang at the Lyric Opera house in Baltimore,” said Ray Apollo of Fort Washington, a member of the band. ‘‘No crowd is too large or too small for us. We sing R and B and a variety of songs.”
Earnest Pugh, a gospel singer from Washington, D.C., was one of the featured performers and a favorite singer of Reid’s.
‘‘Ms. Reid always told me that she loved my music and she called me to ask me to come here,” Pugh said. ‘‘It worked out with our schedule and we are performing contemporary, urban and traditional.”
For those who wanted to learn more about history, there were guided walking tours, titled ‘‘Voices Found: The Archaeology of African Americans at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum.” and ‘‘If These Bricks Could Talk: A Tour of the Smiths’ St. Leonard Site, an 18th Century plantation on the grounds of JPPM.”
At the end of the day, it was all about bringing together a stronger community.
‘‘This park is something great within their own county,” Reid said. ‘‘People should bring their families down and enjoy themselves, even when there aren’t any events.”
