The totally free, multi-day, and always fun Harambee Arts Festival starts this weekend at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center in Lenoir.
The festival starts at 11:00 am this Saturday, July 30, 2022, with a Family Fun Day.
Family Fun Day activities will include a sketch artist, face painters, a bungee trampoline, climbing wall, a train ride, foam cannon, food, a book bag giveaway, and more. There will also be a Kiddie Game Corner with tic-tac-toe, ring toss, and other tot-friendly games.
The Freedman Cultural Center is providing hamburgers, hot dogs, fish, chips, and drinks, which will be served at noon. The book bags (150) are being donated by The Ministerial Alliance and they'll include school supplies donated by Hudson First Baptist and will also be given away at noon.
"Harambee is a chance for everyone in the community to come together, have fun, and celebrate unity," MLK Jr. Center Director Lester Whittington said. "Come out and have a good time with the community."
Harambee Arts Festival continues after Saturday with several more events including a gospel singing, all-star basketball games, senior citizen banquet, and more. Check out the full schedule below.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Center is located at 313 Greenhaven Dr.
Family Fun Day
Saturday, July 30, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm | Outside Field
Bungee Trampoline, Climbing Wall, Sketch Artist, Face Painters, Train Ride, Hype-Nation Foam Cannon, Food Vendors, Vendors, and Ministerial Alliance Book Bag Giveaway
Gospel Singing
Sunday, July 31, 4:00 pm | Samuel T. Sturgis Gymnasium
Performances by:
- CHOSEN, Wilkesboro, NC
- Miss Jaliah Howell, Hickory, NC
- Miss Kyesha Horton, Wilkesboro, NC
JH Jones All-Star Games
Monday, Aug. 1, 6:00 pm | Samuel T. Sturgis Gymnasium
Two different JH Jones All-Star Teams will be playing two different Gamewell Optimist All-Star Teams. The games are at 6:00 and 7:00 pm.
Senior Citizens Appreciation Banquet
Tuesday, Aug. 2, 6:00 pm | Samuel T. Sturgis Gymnasium
Everyone is welcome to attend and senior citizens are encouraged to come enjoy a meal and socialize. All the food is free.
Game Night
Wednesday, Aug. 3, 6:00 pm | Inside | FREE ENTRY
Come play Spades, Bid Whist, and Bingo (two card limit). Bingo will be played in the gym. It’s free to play and prizes include t-shirts and all types of donated gifts. Spades and Bid Whist will be in multipurpose room. It’s free to enter, and prizes include two $25 gift cards for the winning teams.
Recognition Banquet
Thursday, Aug. 4, 6:00 pm | Samuel T. Sturgis Gymnasium
This year, staff will recognize James Patterson and Karen Patterson Foster. Mr. Patterson recently retired after 30 years of officiating basketball and softball games. Mrs. Foster is being recognized for many years of community service and outreach, which includes bringing 200 members into the local NAACP chapter.
To Be Announced
Friday, Aug. 5
