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African World Festival Kicks Off Friday at Charles H. Wright Museum

August 15, 2012·By BLAC Editorial

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the festival moves to a new location in Detroit’s Midtown area

August 15, 2012

Thursday, August 15

he 30th annual African World Festival kicks off a weekend of music, food, fun and cultural activities Friday, Aug. 17 at a new location-the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, located at 315 E. Warren Ave., in Detroit.

City streets will be blocked off to allow the festival to sprawl along the museum grounds, surrounding areas and green spaces. 

The outdoor festival grounds will feature four outdoor stages, more than 100 marketplace vendors, ethnic food samples, visual arts, craft exhibitions and live demonstrations.

The free festival runs Friday, Aug. 17 through Sunday, Aug. 19. Festival hours each day will be noon-11:30 p.m.

Event highlights include:

  • Friday: Noon-Rep. John Conyers and the Ambassador of The Republic of Botswana to the United States, Her Excellency Tebelelo Mazile Seretse 
  • Saturday: Parade of Nations at Noon; Step show at 3 p.m.; Detroit Rocks the Runway Fashion Extravaganza at 10 p.m. 
  • Sunday: Spirit of the African World at 1 p.m.; Detroit Reggae All-Stars at 8:30 p.m.; Notorious Entertainment at 10 p.m.

The museum also will have extended hours during the festival: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. All exhibits, such as The King Center Imaging Project and Witness: The Art of Jerry Pinkney, are free with admission.

For more information, visit the Festival website or contact the Festival office at 313-494-5824 or email awfinfo@yahoo.com

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