AFRICATOWN’s Community Day Festival continues to grow in 2025

An overflow crowd of more than 3,000 people attended the 10th anniversary of an Africatown Cultural Event created to pay homage to the original members of The Black Workers Union of both the International Paper Mill and Scott Paper Mill located in Africatown. The Community Festival was always conducted within the community itself or on Mon Lou Island near the water and held on the weekend before Labor Day to celebrate Labor Day for all the laborers in Africatown. The Union Members would purchase enough food and drinks to feed the entire community of 12,000 people. That same tradition continues today as free food is available but locals will bring their own tent and provide their own style of bar-b-que to the event.

 

This year’s entertainment was provided by local artists such as: Mr. Campbell, David “J”, Big 2-5-1, and Ko Jac provided the entertainment for the crowd and an additional element of entertainment was added as “FIREWORKS” was added to the entertainment agenda. This was the first time fireworks was set off in Africatown to the delight of everyone in attendance. Plans had been made and funds secured to bring to the event the number 1 rapper in Africa, however, those plans had to be put on hold because a travel visa was denied because of the immigration problem in America. They will try again next year.

 

This year’s list of things to do also consisted of Community Tours, Vendors, Storytellers, Face Painters and 2 Chefs from Bishop State Community College to enhance the flavor of the food.

 

The Africatown Community Day Festival is sponsored each year by Lamar & Chiquitta Howard, founders of The Africatown Community Teach and Outreach Non-Profit Organization with plenty of help from their family members and friends.