Eastern Shore AFRAM Festival slated for Aug. 12-13 in Seaford
The Eastern Shore AFRAM Festival Inc. presents its 2011 edition Friday and Saturday, Aug. 12 and 13, at Nutter Park in Seaford.
This year’s festival is two enriching days of cultural celebration. Themed on the Kwanzaa principle of Kujichagulia or self determination, AFRAM 2011 seeks to strengthen the Seaford community through cultural awareness and a rich heritage of love, unity, success, diversity, and pride. The event includes a parade, a health fair, job fair, talent showcase, vendors, dancers, musical artists, and the Little Miss AFRAM/Little Mr. AFRAM Pageant.
The program begins at 5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 12, with the Little Miss/Little Mr. AFRAM Pageant. Also included are a local talent showcase, AFRAM Family Feud, vendors, a remote broadcast by OC 104 FM with host Bill Baker “The Rump Shaker” and an 8 p.m. performance by Zion Reggae Band to conclude the evening.
Saturday, Aug. 13 will feature the AFRAM Parade, which starts at 10 a.m., followed by the opening ceremony and presentation of the Community Recognition Award to Seaford-area pastor and AFRAM Parade Grand Marshall Helena Bailey.
AFRAM will also present a special tribute to its longtime friend, Sankofa founder and former Dover City Councilman Reuben Salters. The Sankofa Drummers and Dancers will perform traditional African pieces.
Gospel performances will begin at 3:30 p.m. in a festival segment known as Sunday’s Best @ AFRAM. Featured artists include singer Ty Bolden; the dance group Moves of Praise from Eastern Shore Maryland; rap and hiphop artist SEIZE1; SoJo, the husband-and-wife duo of Sophia and Joe Yancey Jr. of SoJo Ministries; Elder Larry Moore and the Grateful Gospel Quartet of Portsmouth, Va.; Tara "T-roc" Christopher, Delaware Teen Idol and top 10 finalist in the Creative Song & Dance category; Kimberly Boggerty (K-bo) of Songbird Music Group L.L.C. and The Abbott Family Choir.
The AFRAM R&B Hour begins at 5 p.m. Featured artists are Jagwire Lexis, peforming at 5 p.m. in his third consecutive appearance; Karron Johnson of Eyes On Me Entertainment; Armah Ogund’e of Maryland; KedaSings, independent R&B recording artist, songwriter, producer and performer; and SAGE of KWP Music Group.
Additional information regarding Eastern Shore AFRAM’s festival and entertainment schedule may be found on the official website, www.easternshoreafram.org.
The Eastern Shore AFRAM Festival is headed by Seaford City Councilwoman and Eastern Shore AFRAM Executive Director Pat A. Jones.
Eastern Shore AFRAM is the largest African-American heritage festival in Sussex County. Last year, more than 2,500 visitors from Delmarva, neighboring states, and as far away as San Diego, Calif., were hosted by this event.
Event information and links to the festival Facebook page are posted at www.easternshoreafram.org. Contact Pat A. Jones at pj@easternshoreafram.org, at 302-628-1908, or at Eastern Shore AFRAM Festival Inc., P.O. Box 687, Seaford, DE 19973.
