Local News

African American Heritage Festival set

The African American Heritage Festival is returning to the area this weekend, July 29-30, at a new location aimed to bring more of the community together, said event chairperson Paige Lightner.

"We wanted to bring downtown another amazing event," she said about the move to Heritage Plaza.

Lightner said the biggest challenge with planning the festival this year was to top the previous year, but the main focus remains on African American culture and education. It was also a challenge making sure all the vendors fit comfortably in the new space, she said.

Harriett Gaston, a representative of the African American Heritage Project, is excited to see the festival returning and cannot think of a better place to have the festival than at Heritage Plaza.

"It will showcase how our downtown is growing and that the city welcomes this heritage to be a destination event," she said.

For the festival, 11th Avenue will be shut down from JJ Hadley at 13th Street to the Curry Innovation building near 15th Street. That area will be filled with vendors and a DJ, Lightner said.

There will be seating and more vendors under the big pavilion in the plaza, and the kids corner will be in the parking lot of Cardiology Associates of Altoona.

Gaston and a couple of friends with the African American Heritage Project will be distributing a brochure showcasing local African American history.

"These gatherings and celebrations help us to remember our past and learn about those who lived in Blair County," she said.

Gaston will also have a few artifacts like photos, census records, information about the Underground Railroad in Blair County and items associated with the county's African American history for attendees to view.

All the food vendors will be located near the Altoona Transportation Center, while the entertainment will be on the main stage in the plaza.

Lightner said there will be some new food vendors, new activities for the kids, and a Black Magic Circus. That performance will be at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Director and producer of Black Magic Circus, Marian Hines of western Maryland, said she's grateful for the opportunity to bring her show to the festival.

Living in a rural area, there really are not any other events like this close by, she said.

"I think the African American Heritage Festival is special and greatly needed. I knew I had to be a part of it," she said.

Other returning headliners are The PennSoulvanians, Ibeji Drum Ensemble, Hit the Angles 360 Photobooth and a showcase of local talent.

New groups performing on the main stage are Eric Ian Farmer from State College, Urban Fusion from State College and Innocent Sin from Clearfield.

Frederick Douglass Live will also be performing at 3 p.m. Saturday.

There will be about 15 food vendors, including a Caribbean soul food truck coming from Baltimore, Maryland.

Informational booths and about 60 merchant vendors will be on hand with a variety of items such as arts and crafts, clothing and homemade goods.

Gaston said the festival can attract people to move to the Altoona area when they see that this community is inclusive and welcoming.

"This festival is a statement that there are people in this community who value belonging and acceptance of all of us," she said.

Mirror Staff Writer Cati Keith is at 814-946-753.