STEUBENVILLE — Continuing a years-old tradition, Family Reunion Community Fun Day will celebrate African-American culture next weekend at North End Park.
In its fourth year, the community day will take place on August 3 from noon to 9 p.m. at the North End baseball field and will feature food and beverage vendors, games and activities, and live music. The portion of North Seventh Street near the park will be closed to traffic during the festival.
Nicole Hython, who has been chair of the community event since its inception, said the festival has been “incredible every year”, and she hopes that this year will not be an exception.
“I just hope that this year the turnout will be as big as last year. Last year it was absolutely perfect. The weather was perfect, the people were perfect, everything was perfect. So I hope it’s a nice, sunny, dry day so that everything goes as it should, God willing.”
The community day’s predecessor, the African American Heritage Festival, was a community favorite, Hython said, noting that his father handled security. When the event’s organizer moved out of the area, he tasked Hython and CJ Mitchell, the community day’s vice president, with picking up where he left off.
Since then, Hython said, she and Mitchell have built a “Good team” to help organize the festival, carry out marketing and contact sponsors.
This year, Community Day is expecting at least 15 food vendors and up to 30 commercial vendors, Hython said.
Children will be able to enjoy the bouncy houses and take part in the entertainment organised by Anthony Feaster.
Hython said she’s looking forward to the festival’s annual basketball game, which this year will give the boys a break and invite the women to take the court for a competition between old-school and new-school teams. Participants must register by visiting https://forms.gle/MygVpyFH8z67NDtU8 or following the link on the African American Heritage Festival Facebook page.
Music will be provided by DJ A-Love, and there will be live musical performances, including by Steubenville hip-hop artist Elijah “Platinum” Fletcher, who, according to Hython, has “a few surprises in store.”
Sponsorships and donations from the community are what fuel the festival each year, Hython said.
“Without the help of the community, without the sponsors and the donations from the community, this wouldn’t have been possible for our fourth year. I’m not going to lie, this year has been a little tough. We’re looking forward to…getting a little more local support from businesses (next year) so we can provide more things for the kids, more things for everyone to enjoy in general.”
Individuals can donate to the festival via Cash App at $aahfsteubenville or PayPal at PayPal.me/AAHFSTEUB. They can also donate by check, money order or cash by calling Hython at (740) 461-8364 and setting up a time to meet and chat.
Current sponsors include Beyond Kids LLC, Legacy Lounge, Trinity Health System, Weirton Rental Center, Boss C Events, Holistic Cloud, Little Elephant and Friends Daycare, Roma Bar and Grill and Lane and Lore. Hython said Lane and Lore will hold a raffle for two personalized Heritage Festival cups.
Hython said she hopes community members will understand that the festival “It’s an open community family reunion and everyone is welcome.”
“No one is isolated because of their color, race, ethnicity, etc. We invite everyone to come enjoy the African American Heritage Festival, learn about our culture, enjoy our great food…and get a little more resources for their future events.”
Any questions regarding the festival can be directed to Hython, aahfsteubenville@gmail.com or to the festival Facebook page.
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