The David Boles Foundation will co-host the fifth annual Gullah Geechee Festival supported by the City of Richmond Hill. This festival highlights the culture (food, music, religion, societal norms, etc.) of the local descendants of the local rice plantations. The Geechees are the formerly enslaved people in Georgia. The name is derived from the Ogeechee River.
The festival will take place at J. F. Gregory Park on March 28, from noon until 6 p.m.. Please bring your lawn chairs so that you may sit as you enjoy the presentations and performances that will take place on the stage.
The event has many layers. This year’s theme is “Empowering Our Chillun’ Through Education”. Napoleon Wilkerson is the featured artist. A native Savannahian, Wilkerson’s authentic paintings have been commissioned for this festival and will be used as the backdrop for marketing materials. Local vendors will provide authentic Gullah Geechee cuisine. live music, testimonials, quilting, basket weaving, and many other historical and cultural presentations. Savannah State University is the central focus of this year’s festival. Savannah State University, Georgia’s First Public Historically Black College & University (HBCU), educated the children of the early Gullah Geechees of our area. Candice Glover, American Idol winner, will perform along with the Savannah State University’s Wesleyan Gospel Choir and Concert Choir. Richmond Hill native, Brett Barnard, and The Hit Man Band will perform blues selections…