Harrisonburg community members and organizations gathered in Ralph Sampson Park for food, music, and art along with other activities to celebrate heritage and diversity during the city’s 28th annual African American Festival. The festival continues to serve as a significant event in appreciating and honoring the African American community, history, and diversity of the city. 

In addition to food vendors and music performances, local artists, schools, businesses and other organizations set up booths to engage with the community, promoting awareness of their resources and services. One of the main goals of the festival was to not only celebrate African American culture, but also be a space for connecting and relationship building. 

Senior Adesola Johnson, who was present at the festival said, “It’s extremely important for the community because it helps inform African American culture and history– it kind of brings people together to celebrate.” 

The festival kicked off at noon with welcomes and introductions. Throughout the afternoon, activities continued with various DJs, bands, and solo performances offering their musical talents while embracing their culture. 

Harrisonburg Mayor and Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) Regional Advancement Director Deanna Reed also noted the importance of the northeast neighborhood, a historic Black community of Harrisonburg. She emphasized the need for recognition and understanding of the heritage of the neighborhood. “It’s special for the community to celebrate this community,” she said. “As well as all of the different vendors and food and music, and families that come to this event.” 

Reed also commended EMU for participating in the festival, saying, “being one of the two universities here in Harrisonburg, we need to be visible. We need to be visible not only in the city, but in this community. So that’s why we’re here and that’s why we are here celebrating this annual event.” 

The EMU booth was filled with smiles, brochures, fact sheets, and a spin wheel with a chance at a free prize. Different EMU faculty, staff, and students were represented in the booth throughout the day and offered a space to discuss who they are as a university and what they bring to the community. 

As a student, Johnson spoke on the importance of EMU being at the festival. “I think it’s extremely important because we are a diverse campus and every new year we have a new group of students,” she said. “It’s really important for us to support our students and uplift them.”