Community Values Reflected At Heritage Festival In Arlington

“Feel the Heritage Festival” was held on Feb. 29 at the Charles Drew Community Center and Arlington appeared in full community bloom in this pre-spring, pre-virus event. This was the 28th year for the annual festival. It celebrates Arlington’s African American history and culture. According to one of the festival managers, crowds exceeded expectations.

Craig Syphax at the stand for Arlington Black Heritage Museum

According to the Arlington Connection, “The atmosphere was typical Arlington: diverse, upbeat, a little old-fashioned, a little progressive, and political. There were more than 30 government and community vendors, more than 30 artisans and commercial vendors, great southern food, and an entertainment lineup featuring the X-Factor Band, Encore Stage and Studio, Lomax AME Zion Church Celestial Echoes, the Mount Salvation Baptist Church Incredible High Praise Dance group, and others.”

As per Arlington Connection, “VIsitors to the festival could learn a lot. There were Master Gardeners willing to divulge the secrets to a good vegetable garden; Alyscia Cunningham with her book about women with Alopecia and other forms of hair loss. Many went home with pockets stuffed with freebies like visibility strips for walkers handed out by “Walk Arlington” and free whistles and coloring sheets of forest animals.”