BY MARIE McCAIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Jerry Harris , left of over-the-Rhine and Willie Hall of Clifton enjoy a game of chess at the Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion.
(Tony Jones photo)
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ZOOM |
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Under blue, cloudless skies, Michelle and Robert Harvey walked through the crowds along the Ohio River Saturday. The melodic beats of rhythm and blues, jazz and rap music surrounded them.
With their three children in tow, the College Hill couple scanned the food, service and art booths along with the thousands of attendees at the 10th annual Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion.
Festivities will continue at 1 p.m. today in Bicentennial Commons at Sawyer Point.
"This is our eighth year here," Mrs. Harvey said. "We like coming to this. It's a chance to support the African-American community, see the different things going on and take advantage of the different services offered."
About 200,000 people are expected to attend the yearly event, which concludes today.
One could only wonder what 2-year-old Joshua Berry thought of the event as he played with a Styrofoam Frisbee, handed out as a promotional gift. His father, Ted, of Loveland, wheeled the toddler's stroller through the booths.
"This is a great thing," Mr. Berry said of the event.
"It's great to get together. It's great to see all the young entrepreneurs and artists, all the families. We need this," he added.
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IF YOU GO
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What: Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion Celebration.
When: Continues today from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Bicentennial Commons at Sawyer Point, downtown Cincinnati. Admission: Free.
Information: 569-8582.
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The national event was created more than a dozen years ago by the National Council of Negro Women to dispute reports of the demise of the black family.
The Cincinnati event has been touted as the second largest Black Family Reunion in the nation. The event attracts millions of people nationwide.
This is Woodlawn-based real estate broker Ralph E. Carter's fifth year as a booth holder at the event. "I come here mainly for the exposure," Mr. Carter said.
"It has really worked out. Over the years, I've had between 700 and 800 people register with us because of being here," he added. "This is good for business, but I'd come here even if I wasn't working a booth."
Janella Franklin agreed.
This was the Walnut Hills woman's first year as an event participant rather than a regular attendee.
"If I didn't have to work, I'd be here," she said.
"I always liked the music, the food. My mother could come here and listen to the kind of music she likes. I can come here and listen to the kind of music I like. It's a place for everyone."
