ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 20, 1996 TAG: 9604230021
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ALMENA HUGHES STAFF WRITER
This promises to be a big weekend for celebrating cultural diversity. Today, the Community Awareness Council of Salem and the Harrison Museum of African-American Culture will present the sixth annual African-American History Parade and Festival in Longwood Park, Salem. On Sunday, Roanoke's annual multicultural celebration, Local Colors, will be held in Center in the Square and Historic Farmers Market in downtown Roanoke.
Both gatherings aim to have fun while showcasing the valley's diverse ethnic mix.
Shirley Everett, with her sister Ernestine Woodliff, co-coordinated the African-American parade.
"It started as a way to celebrate Black History Month in Salem. But usually, February was too cold and the weather was too unpredictable for a parade. So we moved it because, when you think about it, we're proud of our heritage all year round," Everett said.
Some 20 groups are expected to participate in the parade, including drill and step teams, a jazz band and floats. The preparade festival, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., will include a display of African artifacts, live entertainment, on-site broadcasting by radio station WTOY and vendors selling jewelry, clothing and food. The parade will march from Longwood Park down Main Street starting at 3 p.m.
Pearl Fu, Local Colors chairwoman, said she is expecting about 36 different ethnic and cultural groups. Her penchant for approaching people whom she suspects are from foreign countries and inviting them to take part in the festival has undoubtedly helped it grow from only three or four groups in the first festival six years ago.
New this year will be displays by Asian artists at Gallery 3 and a kite-flying workshop at the history museum followed by a kite-flying session in Elmwood Park. Several restaurants will be decorated in honor of adopted countries.
Local dignitaries will sing world-peace type songs for the closing ceremony, Fu said. Asked how they sound, she diplomatically replied, "Well, you know it's just supposed to be fun."
The festival is mostly free, however, admission will be charged for a few events. "Passports," costing $2, entitle bearers to food samples from participating restaurants and chances to win prizes, including a trip to Cancun, Mexico.
LOCAL COLORS
HIGHLIGHTS
Outdoor events:
12 p.m. Parade of Nations
1 p.m. Opening ceremony
1:45 p.m. Korean harpist - Song Hee Uhm
2:45 p.m. African music - Hadassah
3 p.m. International fashion show
5 p.m. Prize drawings, closing ceremony
Center In The Square events
Noon - 5 p.m. History Museum third floor, free admission
Noon - 5 p.m. Kite Workshop, History Museum third floor
Noon - 5 p.m. Art Museum, free admission
1 p.m. Mill Mountain Theatre "Beauty and the Beast," admission charged
2 p.m. Art Museum, Nikki Giovanni poetry, second floor
3 p.m.- 5 p.m. Kite flying with History Museum in Elmwood Park
3 p.m.- 5 p.m. Walter Evans reception - Art Museum - first floor gallery
4 p.m. Mill Mountain Theatre "Beauty and The Beast," admission charged
nLocal Colors: A Cultural Celebration
Today, noon to 5 p.m. Center in the Square and Historic Farmers Market. Purchase a Local Colors passport for $2 at Gallery 3, Center in the Square, or any Martin Travel Location.
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