THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 7, 1995 TAG: 9512070544
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 104 lines
Norfolk's Southside will hold a celebration of unity and pride this weekend.
Beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, streets in Campostella and Berkley will showcase the second annual ``Restore The Pride On The Southside'' parade.
Members from civic groups, churches and businesses have worked on the event for months.
``This parade is a symbolic and functional expression of our hopes and needs,'' said Elwood ``Coach'' Williams, parade founder and executive director of the Southside Boys and Girls Club. ``Most news that comes out of here is negative. This is very positive and bringing the community together, kind of like a truce. ... We need this to rally around.''
Williams said that the area is plagued by problems common to most inner cities and he thought the community needed to do something positive. Civic leaders said there's a current of enthusiasm flowing through the citizenry of the Southside neighborhoods of Berkley, Campostella, Campostella Heights, Diggs Town and Oakleaf Forest.
``Last year people didn't believe we were going to have a parade until they heard the bands,'' said Joyce Henry, manager of the Berkley Multi-Services Center. ``This year the word's out and everyone is very excited.''
Campostella resident Frank Pegram said citizens are taking notice:
``There are a lot of people talking about the parade, and there's a lot of input coming from the community. People are coming together for this, and that's what we need.''
The parade will run from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by a Christmas Village carnival in Berkley Park until 4 p.m. A diverse presentation of floats, bands and drill teams are among some 120 units.
There also will be a mini ``million man march,'' comprising more than 100 high school students dressed in coats and ties.
The procession will begin on Campostella Road, continue onto Indian River Road, to Wilson Road, Berkley Avenue, Obendorfer Road and Liberty Street, then end at the Boys and Girls Club.
Parade organizers expect as many as 10,000 spectators, more than tripling last year's count. The grandstand will be at Culpepper and Liberty streets, where judges will present awards. State Sen. Yvonne B. Miller will be the parade's grand marshal.
The unifying element of the parade is evident in the variety of supporters and participants. Citizens are working with groups including city agencies and public schools, the STOP Organization, PACE and private industry to form a partnership.
Although a majority of parade-goers and organizers are black, much support is coming from the white-owned businesses, Williams said. Industrial Marine Services Inc. in Berkley is providing vehicles for the floats and parade units. Shipyards are contributing equipment and volunteers.
``We try to support this community anyway we can,'' said John Parker, Industrial Marine Services' vice president of sales and a board member for the Boys and Girls Club. ``I wish this parade could go through downtown Norfolk. I was out there last year, and there's a lot of pride in it.''
The city is supplying the grandstand, tents, sound system and logistical support.
``They seem to be an active community moving toward the goal of coming back,'' said Mark Lasyone, special events coordinator for the Department of Recreation, Parks and General Services.
The procession will have a float for state and city officials. U.S. Rep. Robert C. Scott, Police Chief Melvin C. High and Vice Mayor Paul R. Riddick attended last year.
``I'm planning on being there, and I think there will be a good representation from City Council,'' Mayor Paul D. Fraim said. ``Berkley is a great historic neighborhood with a lot of tradition. That gives you a real chance to make revitalization efforts work.''
Parade coordinator Quinton Fields remembers the Berkley of old.
``At one time Berkley was downtown Norfolk,'' Fields said. ``In the 1930s, '40s and '50s we had dance halls, restaurants, movie theaters and fine clothing stores. We had it all. We're trying to restore some of that pride.''
The Boys and Girls Club has long been a center for community-improvement programs in an area struggling to renew itself after years of deterioration. Williams has been the club's executive director for 23 years.
Two former club members suggested the parade concept to Williams.
``The idea was to do something at Christmastime for the community,'' said John Mack, who with Kenneth Alexander floated the idea to Williams in late summer 1994. ``It was like an early Christmas present for him. We knew `Coach' could make it a success.''
Williams said he hopes the parade will bring the community greater recognition from the city. He already is planning for a larger event in 1996.
``Businesses here should form a coalition to support the parade,'' Williams emphasized. ``We're an important part of this city, not a stepchild. We eventually hope to make this one of the biggest parades in Norfolk. The community needs this to help establish pride and confidence.'' ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
PARADE INFORMATION
The parade route, starting at Campostella Road, to Indian River
Road, Wilson Road, Berkley Avenue, Obendorfer Road, Liberty Street
and ending at the Southside Boys and Girls Club, will be closed from
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Nearby parking will be available on Whitehead Street, Culpepper
Street, Walker Avenue and Appomattox Street.
To volunteer or for more information, call the Southside Boys and
Girls Club at 545-5963.
by CNB