With temperatures reaching near 90 degrees, residents of Ward F and other parts of Jersey City came to Berry Lane Park for the annual African Cultural Arts Festival on Aug. 27.
The festival is sponsored by the city, the Bethune Life Center, and the Jersey City Public Library. Designed as a celebration of life, music and culture, it featured arts & crafts, games and entertainment for kids, food and other vendors, and a series of musical performances, many of which highlighted African-themed arts.
“It was a very well-needed event, bringing the community together in the south side of the city.” – Daniel Rivera
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Although the event did not take place in 2015, it has previously been held at the Hub business mall on Martin Luther King Drive. This year the festival took advantage of the newly-opened Berry Lane Park and provided a sprawling menagerie of vendor tables and information booths, and a stage where a variety of musical acts gave some of the attendees a taste of African heritage.
“It was a very well-needed event, bringing the community together in the south side of the city,” said Councilman Daniel Rivera. “The vibe was great and genuine. I can only wish we had this at least three times a year. It was extremely positive.”
Rivera said the event helped the community become familiar with the city’s newest and largest park, a $38 million project that transformed a formerly contaminated property into ballfields, playgrounds, a water park, and passive recreation areas.
The festival showcased numerous cultural performances and activities for both adults and children. These included a drum ensemble for the kids as well as traditional instrument performances on the stage area, plus spoken word poets, stilt walkers, and dancers.
Former Freeholder Jeff Dublin said the event helped bring the community together, allowing the predominantly African American part of the city to take pride in their heritage, while also giving a sampling of African culture to a community unfamiliar with these.
Assemblywoman Angela McKnight called it a wonderful opportunity and said she was very impressed with the turnout.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com