African-American History Festival ‘still standing’
For the past 22 years, on President’s Day weekend, Apalachicola has been the site of an annual African-American History Festival, at Sixth Street Park adjacent to the Holy Family Senior Center.
Last weekend was no exception, in fact it was an exceptional festival, with a large crowd taking in the events that ran all day Saturday and concluded with a worship service Sunday, all conducted under the theme “Still Standing.”
A 5K race early Saturday morning opened the event, and later that day there was a three-on-three basketball tournament on the Sixth Street courts.
Leading the parade on Saturday at noon was Grand Marshal Dr. Dreamal Worthen, born and raised in Apalachicola, with a doctorate from Florida State and now wrapping up a career as a professor at Florida A & M University and a cooperative extension agent.
Highlighting the parade was a float featuring the Hillside Royalty, which this year featured two seniors, Marvin Croom, Sr., a lifelong resident of the Hill and retired head of public works for the city of Apalachicola, and Retha Mae Saulsby McCaskill, now 97, who retired from a distinguished career as an educator.
The two seniors joined the Hillside Royalty Court, which is each year made up of young people. Named to the court were Jouri Hanaya Thomason, 3; Gianna Elizabeth-Kay Harris, 4; O’Mari Antonique Harris, 7; and Deniyah Karde Robinson, 10.
The ceremony that followed the lengthy parade was led by Greg Perkins, with the singing of the National Anthem by Toshma Gary, and the voicing of the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” by Tasia Jones. Remarks by Apalachicola Mayor Brenda Ash followed, with Elinor Mount-Simmons, president of H’COLA (Hillside Coalition of Laborers for Apalachicola), introducing the grand marshal, and Tami Ray Hutchinson introducing the Royal Court.
The entertainment that followed included Dance Kraze, Judos and the Glenwood Line Dancers, all from Panama City; and the Apalachicola Blues Authority.
Singer Jarmain Hawthorne, from Houston, Texas, opened for the featured entertainment, the band Konkoction, from Panama City.
The ethnic fashion show, featuring African-inspired outfits, was featured on the runway in the center of the park.
“As always we have a great turnout and H’COLA is pleased to bring this to the city, with the help of generous sponsors,” said Mount-Simmons. “Panama City and Tallahassee were there in great numbers and we look forward to the 23rd annual event next year.”
The Sunday worship service, led by Pastor Garry Reed and the St. Paul AME Church Choir led by Jhaki Davis, was moved indoors due to inclement weather.
Meet the Editor
David Adlerstein, The Apalachicola Times’ digital editor, started with the news outlet in January 2002 as a reporter.
Prior to then, David Adlerstein began as a newspaperman with a small Boston weekly, after graduating magna cum laude from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He later edited the weekly Bellville Times, and as business reporter for the daily Marion Star, both not far from his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
In 1995, he moved to South Florida, and worked as a business reporter and editor of Medical Business newspaper. In Jan. 2002, he began with the Apalachicola Times, first as reporter and later as editor, and in Oct. 2020, also began editing the Port St. Joe Star.