Countywide : Festival to Kick Off Black History Month
To kick off Black History Month, the Orange County Black Historical Commission will host a unity festival today at the Southwest Senior Center in Santa Ana.
The festival is being held in lieu of the county’s annual Black History Month Parade, which was canceled this year after organizers were unable to raise the $7,500 fee that city officials requested. Santa Ana has financed the event for the last 13 years but pulled out this year, citing budgetary problems.
Comedian Prince Hughes, who plays Bubba Kincaid on the Home Box Office show “First in Ten,” will serve as the master of ceremonies. Local gospel group A. .B & Company will share the entertainment bill, along with five drill teams from high schools in Santa Ana and Tustin.
Officer John Reed of the Santa Ana Police Department will bring an anti-drug message to youngsters with a puppet show. And the commission will give children copies of its “Color Me Brown” coloring book, which features pictures of famous African-Americans.
“We’re doing (the festival) to commemorate the month, but mostly to have some fun for the whole family,” commission President Helen Ship said this week.
Admission is free, as are hot dogs, soft drinks and other fare.
The celebration begins at 10 a.m. and continues until 4 p.m. The Southwest Senior Center is at 2201 W. McFadden Ave., Santa Ana.
Last-minute donations are being accepted. Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to call (714) 539-6152.
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