TUSCUMBIA-The North Alabama African Heritage Association will host the 15th Annual North Alabama African Heritage Festival on Friday and Saturday, June 5th and June 6th, 2015 at the Willie Green Recreation Park in Tuscumbia.
Wallace D. Ricks of Tuscumbia, an organizer of the festival, is expecting a big crowd. “I’ve been getting calls from all over the country from people who say they are coming. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Susann Hamlin
Susann Hamlin, executive director of Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau, said the festival is always entertaining and informative.
A festival preview will begin at 4 p.m. Friday, June 5 with “Music on the Lawn” provided by the Shoals Blues Band featuring Judy Toney.
On Saturday June 5, the festival will resume at 11 a.m. with African singing, drumming and dancing. There will be performances by local musicians in multiple genres including, gospel, R & B and more. This year’s festival will feature several authentic African cultural presentations. The Uhuru African Dancers of Atlanta will perform Saturday at 3 p.m., the authentic Umdabu Dance Company will perform at 5 p.m. An extra added feature for this year will be Simba Foluke of Nashville, Tenn.; a drummer, dancer and stilt walker.
Other renowned special guest are expected to attend the festival
The local nursing chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. will conduct health screenings and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. will have a voter registration drive.
The local chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will provide multiple activities for children and the general public throughout the day on Saturday. The Delta’s will collaborate with the local Alabama Cooperative Extension System staff and Home Depot to 
conduct youth coloring contests, simple home improvement projects, adult and youth nutrition and face painting and other activities.
There will be numerous vendors on hand with food, clothing, African attire, paintings and a variety of other items. Some of the featured stage acts include Dorothy Cole, James Street Entertainment, Kush Reggae Band of Huntsville, Billy Allen and more (see program line-up for complete list). All festival events are provided free by the Association with help from city of Tuscumbia and local Shoals area merchants. For more information call 256-335-2911 or 256-383-0783.
2015 Program Schedule
Friday, June 5th
Music on the Lawn …………………………………………………………………….….. 4:00 p.m.
With The Shoals Blues Band
Saturday, June 6th
Opening Ceremony……………………………………………………………………………… 11:00 a.m.
Emcee Ms. Katernia Cole
Welcome: Wallace D. Ricks, President
Devotion: Norris Ricks & Rev. Jeffrey Braxton
Introduction of Board Members
Introduction of Public Officials
C.O.R.E. Drummers……………………………………………….………………………… 11:45 a.m.
Inspirational Message to children: Rev. Dowand Malone.……..……………………………. 12:30 p.m.
Gospel Selection (s).………………..……Artist(s) – TBA……………………………………… 12:30 p.m.
Mary Byrd Robinson …………………………………………………………………………12:45 p.m.
Muscle Shoals Twirlers ……………………………………………………………………… 1:30 p.m.
James Street Entertainment ……………………………………………………….…………… 2:00 p.m.
Billy Allen …………………………………………………………………………………….2:30 p.m.
Uhuru Dancers (Decatur, GA) …………………………………………………………………3:00 p.m.
Dorothy Cole (as Tina Turner)……………….. ………………………………………………..3:45 p.m.
Citizen of the Year Award ….. ………………………………………………………………. 4:00 p.m.
Recognition of Special Guest …………………………………………………………………..4:10 p.m
