The annual Black Culture Festival returns this month to Downtown Rochester’s Parcel 5. Each year, this festival celebrates Rochester’s Black community through culture, food, music, entrepreneurship and education.
The theme for the festival is “Homecoming,” in celebration of the connection between education,school pride and Black culture. Organizers are encouraging attendees to represent their alma mater — from Rochester City Schools and surrounding districts to HBCUs, colleges, universities, tradeschools, fraternities and sororities.
Throughout the July 24-25 festival, there will be several events for families to enjoy. Here’s what you can expect from the festival and more.
Details for Black Culture Festival and more
From 5-8 p.m. on July 24, families are invited to “Friday Night Lights,” a free concert featuring live music from local artists. The concert will be hosted on Parcel 5, located at 285 E. Main St.
“All the performers that’s on the main stage are all from Rochester, who’ve been doing music for, anywhere from one year to 10 years to 15 years. Some of them are returning to the main stage,” said festival founder Will Powers.
The 7th Annual Black Culture Festival also take place July 25. The festival is free and open to the public.
From noon until 8 p.m. July 25, families will be able to enjoy live music, local vendors, food and a variety of activities including:
“ We’ve always done line dancing, but we’ve never done a Soul Train line.” Powers said. “And what’s more for Black culture than Don Cornelius and the Soul Train Awards and the Soul Train show?”
Powers hopes participants will help create Rochester’s biggest Soul Train line, and hopes the line will stretch from East Main Street to Elm Street or Portland Avenue to Andrew Langston Way.
Scholarship and award opportunities
The BCF Next Step Scholarship is an annual initiative from the festival that is dedicated to supporting graduating high school seniors. For students to eligible for the scholarship, they must plan to attend a college, university, trade school, vocational program or plan on entering the workforce with a professional certification or business venture.
Students must also demonstrate leadership, community involvement, and commitment to future success. The award will start at $500, and students must submit a video presentation.
Festival organizers are also encouraging community members to nominate a Black educator for the Honor Our Black Educators ceremony. Organizers will award Black educators that are making a positive impact on RCSD students based on community nominations.
Visit theblackculturefest.com to learn more.
Black Culture Festival hosts Ribs & Rhythm
From noon until 8 p.m. on July 25, residents and visitors are invited to a new festival meant to bring together barbecue lovers, music enthusiasts, and the community. “Ribs & Rhythm” is hosted by Will Powers and the Black Culture Festival organizers.
Attendees will be able to enjoy barbecue from a variety of local food vendors, live performances from artists of all genres, and some interactive experiences including:
General admission is $20, including taxes and fees. Guests can purchase two tickets for the price of one until July 20.
Visit eventbrite.com for more ticket information.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Black Culture Festival returns to Parcel 5 with music, food and fun
Reporting by Genae Shields, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Genae Shields, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | USA TODAY Network
