INSIGHT Magazine February 2018 | Page 20

Black Heritage Festival Poems of the Past: Whispers of our Ancestors By Kelsey Butler One of the longest running Black Heritage Festivals in Alabama returns to Anniston this year. The 2018 Black Heritage Festival is scheduled for February 17 at Longleaf Botanical Gardens. The festival will run from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and is free to attend. African-inspired vendors will bring unique clothing, jewelry, and other merchandise. Jessie Crawford Books, African Butterfly, and Saxx Apparel are a few of the vendors already registered for the festival. Interested vendors should sign up to participate by February 9. The Alabama A&M University Choir will perform live at the festival at 1:30 pm, and Baby Boy BBQ will be on site selling lunch from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Black Heritage Festival is free to attend. In addition, guests will receive a wristband for free admission to Anniston Museum and Berman Museum. Students are welcome to enter the Children’s Oration Competition which will take place at 10:15 am. Students may register through their school or by calling 256.237.6766, extension 310, or email adothard@annistonmuseum. org. Age groups for the oration competition are Pre-K, K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, and groups. ✽ 20 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE: 10:15 Children’s Oration Competition 11:00 - 2:00 Lunch available for purchase 1:30 Alabama A&M University Choir performance 10:00 - 3:00 Shop a variety of vendors Black Heritage Festival Student Oration Competition 10:15 AM Student Orations 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Lunch will be available for purchase from Baby Boys BBQ 1:30 PM Alabama A&M University Choir under the direction of Dr. Horace Carney 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Shop a variety of vendors in the Lobby Festival Coordinator: Mrs. Georgia Calhoun Pre-register for the Student Oration Competition with your principal or at Anniston Museum of Natural History. For more information, call 256-237-6766 February 2018 Black Heritage Festival Sponsors: Honda Manufacturing of Alabama Calhoun County Commissioner Fred Wilson State Representative Dr. Barbara Boyd Iota Mu Omega Chapter of AKA Pandora Art and Social Club F&S Body Shop and Wrecker Service Thomas A. Williams Elks Lodge John and Dr. Valerie Richardson Eddie and Veronica May Attorney Cleo Thomas and Dr. Carla Thomas INSIGHT