Friday, December 7, 2007

KwanzaaFest 2007 set to take place at Fair Park

By Vincent Hall of Dallas Weekly

Like executive editor, Cheryl Smith, I'm a card carrying KwanzaaFest charter member since 1991. So I can recall the Warriors who blessed each effort.

And if she were here with us today, Carol Brandon would be brimming with enthusiasm and pride. Ms. Brandon, one of KwanzaaFest's most avid and long standing supporters, must be singing.

You may remember Carol for her work with the Dallas Park Board, The Freedmen's Cemetery Project, several Dallas boards and commissions or the Trinity Nature Center. But we fondly recall Carol as that sister with a broom in one hand, pointing directions to volunteers with the other.

Quit Playin', Carol Brandon lived the principles of Kwanzaa every day. We love and respect the memory of Carol. She was a hard taskmaster with a heart of love. Carol Brandon did not play!

The 17th Annual KwanzaaFest will begin on Saturday, December 8 at 10:00 a.m. and Sunday, December 9 at 8:00 a.m. More than 40,000 visitors are expected to attend.

KwanzaaFest, with the help of its lead corporate sponsor AT&T and others, has managed to maintain free admission and welcomes everyone in this community.

KwanzaaFest offers a comprehensive collection of cultural events to commemorate and model the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa. In addition to national recording artists and local entertainment, the main arteries and arms of KwanzaaFest, HealthFest, and KidFest have been designed with this community in mind.

HealthFest and the representative committees have worked tirelessly and throughout the year to advance preventative health measures and other issues surrounding this nation's severed health care delivery system.

The overwhelming statistical evidence reproves our mission to educate and redirect African Americans and minorities toward healthier lifestyles and choices. The mission of HealthFest is to provide a conduit between providers and a population who needs them most.

We are proud to announce the acquisition of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation as a member of our team for 2007. In memory of our sister Carol, HealthFest will join forces with the Komen Foundation for the purpose of bringing awareness to Breast Cancer. The unveiling ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.

The 2nd Annual Beat Obesity 5K Walk and Run will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday as a pacesetter for all of our health efforts. You can't "Race for the Cure" if you don't get in the race. HealthFest will showcase health care screenings from hypertension to prostrate health.

Improving the total spiritual and physical welfare is always a top priority for KidFest, so in addition to the games and activities designed for children, there will also be a One Mile Kid's run at 9:45 a.m. The KwanzaaFest Visual Arts and Writing Competition Presentation winners and other entries will be prominently displayed throughout the festival.

We wish to thank AT&T, Countrywide Home Loans, WFAA Channel 8 and Service Broadcasting (K-104) just to name a few. Our mission continues to center around Emancipation, Education and Enterprise. Each of those base components will be evident and obvious to anyone who shops with our vendors.

Carol must be singing. But Carol's victorious descent would last for only a moment. Then she would return to directing traffic, directing volunteers or directing the dissonant harmonies that have made KwanzaaFest a holiday hit for 17 years!

Pegasus News content partner - The Dallas Weekly

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