The 38th annual 8th of August Emancipation Celebration Festival goes into high gear Friday in Russellville. As African American historian Michael Morrow points out, remembering and honoring the freedom of slaves has been going on since it originally happened in the 1860s, but the multi-day, activity-filled observance in Logan County began in the 1980s.
Allensville had been the focal point of the 8th of August observance for many years before that, but Russellvillians decided Russellville’s Hampton Park and the area near it offered space and facilities for more activities. After a short break, Allensville continues to host gathering there, too, just over the Logan line into Todd County.
To emphasize the importance of ending slavery formally, tours of the SEEK Museums in Russellville are available throughout the festival. The historic buildings are located on East Sixth Street and West Seventh. Morrow coordinates all of this.
Food is important to the festival, especially on Friday. That begins at 9 a.m. with the traditional Taste of Culture at Kathy’s Hair Salon at the intersection of West Ninth and Nashville streets. This is coordinated by owner/operator Kathy Benton Edmonds, who is a member of the Festival committee led by her sister, Paulette Benton Smith. The meals available at this location are “foods you don’t see all the time,” Smith says.
Food will also be cooked outside and available at the Concerned Citizens headquarters on East Fifth Street beginning at 11 a.m., Executive Director Dorris Vick announced on WRUS’ Feedback Wednesday.
A block up the street, the Soul Food Fest will be held in the SEEK area, beginning at noon. Food trucks and vendors will be set up near the statue of legendary journalist Alice Allison Dunnigan.
A motorcycle show is part of this year’s festival. “Rumble for Jesus” will be at Hampton Park, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Rev. Perryn Dillard is in charge.
The Youth Dust Bowl for younger basketball players also begins at 5:30. Kenton Cage is overseeing that at Hampton Park.
A number of people and churches have been working on obtaining backpacks and filling them with school supplies. They will be distributed Friday evening at Hampton Park. Rev. Reggie Collier is in charge of this.
Friday’s activities reach a climax with the Russellville Blues Concert outside the Seek Museum. Music will be provided by Tina Brown & Band from Clarksville. There is no admission charge.
That’s a look at Friday. Saturday’s list of activities is even fuller. Watch for that later.