TUSCUMBIA-The North Alabama African Heritage Association will host the 19th Annual North Alabama African Heritage Festival on Friday and Saturday, May 31 and June 1 2019 at the Willie Green Recreation Park in Tuscumbia.
The festival will begin on Friday at 1 p.m. with Informative Sessions focusing on African ancestry. The afternoon sessions will be conducted by Dr. Deborah Carter and Dr. Ernestine Davis. Festivities continue on Friday with the annual “Music on the Lawn” event. Music this year will be provided by the Come Up Band from Decatur, AL and the Shoals area’s own Midnighters.
On Saturday, the festival will resume at 11 a.m. with the C.O.R.E. African drummers. There will be gospel performances by the Garner Brothers, Donna Carroll and the group Family Affair (featuring the Rev. Shane Rainer and recording artist Amasico Rainer). There will be performances by the Uhuru Dancers of Atlanta and other local musicians in multiple genres including, jazz, R &B and more.
The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. will have a voter registration drive and the local nursing chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. will conduct health screenings.
The Muscle Shoals Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will facilitate a movie showing with refreshments and the Deltas will also have a shoe “give away” along with other activities.
Numerous vendors will be on hand with food, clothing, African attire, paintings and a variety of other items. Saturday’s headliner is the Exodus Reggae Band of Memphis, Tenn. Friday and Saturday’s festival events are provided free by the Association with assistance from city of Tuscumbia and local Shoals area merchants and organizations. For more information call 256-335-2911.
2019 Program Schedule
Friday, May 31st
Lecture Series:……… “The Ancestors..An Integral Part of Who We Be”……………….… 1:00 p.m.
(inside Willie Green Rec. Center)
Session 1: Dr. Deborah Carter
Session 2: Dr. Ernestine Davis
Music on the Lawn ……………………………………………………………………..….. 5:00 p.m.
The Come Up Band
& The Midnighters
Saturday, June 1st
Opening Ceremony……………………………………………………………………………… 11:00 a.m.
Emcee: Mrs. Katernia Cole-Coffey
Devotion: Rev. Chris Neloms
Welcome: Wallace D. Ricks, President
“Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Lead by Chiquita Owens
Introduction Tuscumbia City Officials
C.O.R.E. Drummers.…….……………………………..…………………….…….…………11:25 a.m.
Donna Carroll (vocalist)….……..……….………………………………….…………………11:50 a.m.
The Garner Brothers ……..….….……………….…………..……….……………………… 12:05 p.m.
Songs Of Praise ………..……….………….Family Affair…………..……………………….12:35 p.m.
Muscle Shoals Twirlers ..………..….…………. ………. …………………………………… 1:15 p.m.
Divine Nine ………………………………………………………………………………..……1:30 p.m.
Movie ………………………………………… “A Time for Justice” ..….……….………….……. 2:00 p.m.
(inside Rec. Center, sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.)
Introduction of Miss Bronze Contest Winners …………….…….…………………………… 2:00 p.m.
Dance Time ..………..………………………………………….……………………….…….. 2:15 p.m.
Afternoon Jazz …….….…………..Shelly “Saxman” Williams …………….…..…..….….… 2:30 p.m.
Announcements and Special Recognition(s)……………….…………………………………. 3:00 p.m.
Uhuru Dancers ..………………………….…Atlanta, GA……………………………………. 3:15 p.m.
Citizen of the Year Award. …..…….….……………………………………………………… 4:15 p.m.
Exodus Reggae Band ……….………………Memphis, TN………………….………………. 4:30 p.m.
Come Up Band .…………….…………………..….…………………………………..……… 6:30 p.m
