Southeast North Carolina is among the most historically significant African American regions in the United States. In Wilmington, African American ancestry traces back to the 1700s.
The 2012 Southeastern North Carolina African American Heritage Festival will celebrate the region's rich African American culture and history on August 17 to 19 at Robert Strange Park (Ann Street between 8th & 10th streets) in Wilmington, North Carolina.
The theme for the 2012 Southeastern North Carolina African American Heritage Festival is “Appreciating Your Heritage.” The public festivities begin at 9am on Saturday, August 18 with its annual Teen Summit, followed by a ribbon-cutting and pouring of libations ceremony (12 noon).
Thousands of attendees will enjoy live entertainment provided by national recording artists and local talent. Festivities on Sunday, August 19 begin again at 2pm with regional and local gospel acts, children's groups, and other acts. Sunday’s Festival activities will be dedicated to the Life and Legacy of Anthony Jinwright, a local community activist and minister of song. On both days there will be a Kids' Pavilion with activities for children, such as storytelling, magicians, clowns and more. Food and merchandise vendors, informational brochures and a Festival Guide with a schedule of events and historical information will also be available.
Other festival highlights include a Gullah Geechee/Know Your Roots display in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center; the Powerhouse Tumblers, a tumble ministry that teaches boys and girls to reach their horizons by mastering elite tumbling skills.
Visit www.GoWilmingtonAndBeaches.com for information about Wilmington, North Carolina and the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach.
For more information about top events in North Carolina take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in North Carolina.