By Jennifer Edwards
Enquirer staff writer

Gov. Bob Taft, U2 singer Bono and former basketball star Oscar Robertson are among a range of leaders from entertainment, government and sports participating in next week's grand opening of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

Others attending include Sen. Mike DeWine, actress Angela Bassett and producer-rapper Sean "P. Diddy" Combs.

More announcements on attendees are expected this week, said Ernest Britton, director of external affairs for the center - a museum, learning center and research lab dedicated to telling the stories of people who have fought for freedom throughout history.

"Some people are making their announcements on their own," he said Sunday, declining to name names.

About 10,000 people, he said, are expected for the Aug. 23 dedication, which also is the International Day for the Commemoration of the Abolition of Slavery as declared by the United Nations. The date for the dedication was chosen to honor and highlight the Freedom Center's focus on historical and contemporary issues of freedom and slavery.

A 1,300-person fund-raising dinner that is sold out will be Aug. 22. Those attending include former NFL star Lynn Swann, television personalities Robin Roberts from ABC and Harry Smith from CBS, and human rights activist and poet Nikki Giovanni.

Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees and MTV's Newlyweds will kick off an all-day, free festival Aug. 23 for youth and families.

The festival features entertainers and radio personalities, and national speakers.

"We are thrilled to have such strong support locally and nationally from individuals and organizations coming together to dedicate the nation's newest monument to freedom," said Spencer Crew, Freedom Center executive director and CEO.

"Their participation is a powerful testament to the witness and hope offered by the Underground Railroad and the value and impact of the Freedom Center experience."

Activities begin Aug. 23 with a live broadcast from the Freedom Center grounds by CBS' Early Show. Other special broadcasts and tapings that day include ABC's Good Morning America, MTV, Chat the Planet and C-SPAN.

Additionally, a live satellite feed will broadcast to the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Rochester, Conn., where a dedication party is being held. The History Channel will broadcast a documentary on the Underground Railroad.

Public events begin at 9 a.m. with the launch of the Freedom Center's first scholarship work, Passages to Freedom, published by the Smithsonian Press.

This videotaped program consists of presentations by the scholars who guided the development of the history exhibits.

The building will close to the public immediately following the book launch and reopen after 10 p.m., after the ceremony.

At that time, all guests will be invited to take an abbreviated tour of the Freedom Center, which will be open until 1 a.m. Free admission tickets, good for 30 days, will be distributed.

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E-mail jedwards@enquirer.com