Eighth of August Focuses on Churches: Long-Serving Members of African-American Congregations Will Be Honored at Celebration
By Adam Shull, The Paducah Sun, Ky.
Aug. 3–The theme of this year’s Eighth of August Emancipation Celebration pays homage to an institution organizer Robert Coleman believes is both solace and liberator for African-Americans.
“Many of our African-American churches were organized prior to the Emancipation of African-Americans from slavery,” Coleman said.
He said the theme, “A Journey By Faith,” will honor area church members who have attended services for 50 or more years, as the celebration will also offer its yearly parade, games for young people and free music.
The festivities begin Thursday and run through Sunday night.
“They were the source of understanding and sympathy before the Emancipation,” Coleman said of area churches.
“And during segregation it was people with church backgrounds that offered support,” he said.
The annual celebration, on its 32nd year, marks President Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation on New Year’s Day 1863.
Word spread slowly about Lincoln’s decree and legend holds that Paducahans didn’t hear until Aug. 8.
“It’s called ‘Juneteenth Celebration’ in other places and celebrated on different days,” Coleman said.
The W.C. Young Community Center, where Coleman is president, and community leaders organize the four days worth of festivities, dances and sports games.
Donna Bunch organized the youth activities which she said expanded this year and should spice up an old rivalry.
“All the games are between the south side and the north side (of Paducah),” Bunch said.
A five-on-five basketball tournament and music festival, dubbed the Music Gumbo Festival, will be the new events at Blackburn Park.
Coleman said other first-time events will include a free lunch seminar Thursday at Western Baptist Hospital, where doctors will present information about pervasive conditions and illnesses in the black community.
The lauded parade will be noon-1 p.m. Saturday and will run from Walter Jetton & Washington streets to Blackburn Park.
Author and Paducah native Lottie Matthews Lecian will be in town Thursday and Friday to sign copies of her book “Pool Road, Unearthed Stories,” a collection of Kentucky-based true stories.
Lecian will sign books from noon-4:30 p.m. Thursday at the McCracken County Public Library at 555 Washington St. and also from 7-11 a.m. Friday at the W.C. Young Community Center at 505 S. 8th St.
Coleman said he is excited for the celebration to be a remembrance of African-American history and a push for the future.
“The celebration should be an encouragement for young people to continue on and be successful,” Coleman said.
Information: www.myspace.com/wcyoungcenter.
Adam Shull can be contacted at 575-8653.
Wednesday
4-8 p.m. Youth activities kick off. Fish fry, art show and street dance at the W.C. Young Community Center, 505 S. 8th St.
Thursday
Noon-1 p.m. Free lunch seminar at Western Baptist Hospital.
6 p.m. Open house at W.C. Young. Church members of 50 years or more will be recognized.
Friday
7-11 a.m. Annual breakfast at W.C. Young. $6.
11:30 a.m. 3rd annual Cledis Lamont Settles Scholarship presentation at W.C. Young.
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oscar Cross open house, 621 Ohio Street. Hot dogs, lemonade and gospel music.
Noon-8 p.m. Festivities at Blackburn Park (10th and Caldwell streets), including basketball tournaments and concerts.
9 p.m.-1 a.m. Adult dance party at Robert Cherry Civic Center on Park Avenue.
Saturday
10 a.m. Eighth of August Emancipation Celebration Parade from 10th and Washington streets to Blackburn Park.
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Festivities in the park at Blackburn Park including Music Gumbo Festival and car and motorbike show.
9 p.m.-1 a.m. Emancipation teen dance at Robert Cherry Civic Center.
Sunday
1-7 p.m. Festivities in the park at Blackburn Park including singing and dancing competitions, hip-hop fashion show and baby contest.
4 p.m. Salute to gospel music at the Harrison Street Missionary Baptist Church, 1126 Harrison St.
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