Topic: Dee Pearson

PCA hosts 6th Annual African Street Festival at Fairgrounds Park

By Turner McCullough Jr. | August 12, 2008 |

Local community group commemorates the Emancipation of Tennessee Slaves with song, prayer, folk dancing, political awareness and fun.

Mrs. Doris Witherspoon, PCA Secretary and Pastor Gloria Hall, PCA Ass't Director

On Saturday, Fairgrounds Park was the site of Progressive Citizens Advocates’ 6th Annual African Street Festival. The event commemorates the emancipation of Tennessee slaves during the Civil War. That historical context is the motivating background of this colorful family-centered community celebration. While an appreciation of the historical perspective of the one-day festival is crucial to its organizers, the festival itself offers far more than a review of a bitter time period of American history.

From its originating start on the campus of APSU, the festival has grown and evolved to include participants from a diverse cultural background. The festival provides an opportunity for reflection on contributions made by African Americans, the history of the Motherland Africa and its early rulers and leaders and the ongoing struggle of African Americans and other minorities as they strive to achieve the American ideal. Performers have ranged from a showcase of local rappers and R&B artists to Polynesian Firewalk Dancers to this year’s Ballet Folklorico Viva Panama, the art of the diverse elements of the Clarksville and Montgomery County community has always played an important role in the festival celebration.

Ballet Folklorico Viva Panama dancers

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