April 1, 2010 -- This June 25-27, join the Peninsula Association for Sickle Cell Anemia (PASCA), the African American Commemoration Committee, and the City of Hampton as they present the 20th annual Afrikan American Festival. Celebrate four centuries of Hampton’s African American history at this 400th Anniversary Signature Event. The fun takes place at Mill Point Park (100 Eaton Street Hampton, VA 23669) in downtown Hampton and features live music, arts & crafts, clothing, and ethnic food vendors. New this year, on Saturday, June 26 only, the festival expands to Carousel Park (602 Settlers Landing Road Hampton, VA 23669) and includes a very special African American Cultural Forum at the Crowne Plaza Hampton Marina Hotel (700 Settlers Landing Road Hampton, VA 23669).
Over 60 vendors will be on site selling original black art, handmade crafts, food, and more
Explore Old Worlds, New Worlds, Our World. During the weekend, over 60 vendors will be on site selling authentic and original black art, artifacts, handmade crafts, and more. For hungry patrons, local and regional food vendors will be selling a variety of cuisines, however alcohol will not be sold at this event.
Live music will entertain throughout the weekend, with Evelyn “Champagne” King (best known for her song “Shame” that hit # 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart) taking the Mill Point Park Stage at 9:00 p.m. on Friday, June 25. On Saturday, June 26, Zapp (Terry “Zapp” Troutman) will bring his soul-funk fusion to the Mill Point State at 10:00 p.m.
This year, the festival will expand into Carousel Park on Saturday, June 26 from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Activities will include music and poetry showcases, free carousel and bumper car rides, as well as complimentary haircuts and mentoring by The Best Kept Secret Organization.
Additionally, the African American Cultural Forum will take place 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 26, at the Crowne Plaza Hampton Marina Hotel (700 Settlers Landing Road Hampton, VA 233669). The hotel is located only steps from Carousel Park. Seminars will include those on genealogy and family tree DNA, restoration of rights, and gang awareness. Poet, author, and literary consultant Nathan Richardson will also be in attendance participating in this year’s seminars and workshops.
Admission charge to the Afrikan American Festival is a $3.00 donation. As in previous years, proceeds gathered from the Afrikan American Festival will help support the Peninsula Association for Sickle Cell Anemia. Hours for this year’s event at Mill Point Park are 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. on Friday June 25, 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. on Saturday June 26, and 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Sunday June 27.
Hours for the Carousel Park portion of the event are 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 26 only. The African American Cultural Forum will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hampton Marina Hotel from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Saturday only. A complete schedule of seminars and musical artists will be announced in the coming weeks.
Established in 1972, PASCA provides leadership on a local level to create public awareness of this serious hereditary blood disease that affects mainly people of black ancestry, but has been found to occur in Greeks, Italians, Arabians, Sicilians, and Turks. The Peninsula Association not only distributes educational materials about the disease, but also encourages screening programs and genetic counseling. Sickle Cell Anemia occurs in one out of every 400 black births.
More information on the Afrikan American Festival can be obtained by contacting the Hampton 311 Call Center at 757/727-8311. More information on the African American Cultural Forum can be obtained by contacting Pam Croom at 757/728-5173. Free parking is available throughout downtown Hampton.
Hampton, Virginia, the oldest continuous English speaking settlement in North America, celebrates four centuries of history in 2010. We invite you to “Explore Old Worlds, New Worlds, Our World.” The Explore Hampton 2010 committee consists of Hampton citizens and representatives of businesses, churches, neighborhoods, Hampton University and the City of Hampton. For information on upcoming Explore Hampton initiatives, visit www. hampton400.
