Bridge Kids International and the Kentucky Old School Sports Association are celebrating the eighth annual African Heritage Festival on July 15 at Ben Washer Park & Spalding University Soccer Fields, between Fifth and Eight on W. Kentucky Street after a three year hiatus, a release from the event said.
The festival puts a spotlight in the African, African-American and Caribbean cultures and celebrates their culture, history and art. People can expect food, music, culture demonstrations, storytelling, activities for children, and resources for healthy living.
“The African Heritage Festival is growing into a much-anticipated cultural event in Louisville,” Stacy Bailey-Ndiaye the festival committee chair and executive director of Bridge Kids International, said. “Whether their families have just arrived or have been here for hundreds of years, people of African Heritage bring so many positive assets to this city. That’s certainly worthy of celebration!”
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The festival will have a soccer clinic between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. and there are activities between 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Here is the complete schedule:
Spalding University Soccer Field, 921 S. Eighth Street
- 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.: African Heritage Festival International Soccer Tournament (it will feature teams from Louisville and surrounding states and the players will represent 20 countries)
- 11 a.m. – noon: Lou City and Racing Lou Foundation are hosting soccer clinics for children between the ages of 8-years and 16-years. Spaces are limited.
Ben Washer Park, 519 W. Kentucky Street
- 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Vendors (MELANnaireMarketplace will have more than 50 food, merchandise and informational vendors. Its purpose is to help “entrepreneurs build wealth,” Nachand Trabue, the founder of the MELANnaire Marketplace, said.)
- Noon – 6 p.m. Live entertainment including music, dance, poetry and cultural demonstrations.
- 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.: How-to Fair (Community members will teach “fun and useful skills”
- Noon – 6:30 p.m.: Kids’ Zone (Teens from the Louisville Rites of Passage will lead activities including inflatables, games and crafts.)
- 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Generational Wealth Extravaganza (Kiazzi Fund will have financial wellness information, activities and giveaways for all ages.)
Mohammed Karneh of the Kentucky Old School Sports Association said there is still “work to be done” in strengthening community relationships, and the soccer game is intended “to bring together Africans and African Americans.”
The festival is back this year after three years since taking a pause because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Reach Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez at abrinez@gannett.com; follow her on Twitter at @SoyAnaAlvarez.
