As President of Eastern Shore AFRAM, Moore was up bright and early setting up for the weekend festival in Seaford, Del., that hopes to bring in close to 5,000 people through out the weekend.
The committee may be small, but Moore had her helpers. Among the set up crew was Pat Jones, “exhausted executive director,” who has been with the group for 20 years, since day 1.
Jones says this festival is an opportunity to bring together the community as a culture to share history, exhibit pride and display African American heritage.
“We are truly a blessed people and we want to show the world,” Jones said. “I take pride in my heritage and I take pride in my community.”
Jones, who has served in Seaford in many capacities, says this is one of her favorite ways to serve; she even compares her time on the committee as her “heartbeat.”
Throughout the annual festival, ethnic foods can be enjoyed, cultural vendors, entertainment, both local and from a far, and a melting pot of people coming from all over the eastern shore.
Although there have been many fan favorites in the past, Jones and Moore say there’s something special to look forward to.
“Sankofa, Sankofa’s drummers and dancers have been apart of AFRAM for many years,” Jones said. “And they allow us to procession in behind the drums and when you hear the drums you think of the African Culture, and you know, we’re gonna make it come alive.”
With a variety of soul food including Caribbean dishes, chicken, fish and all types of seafood, AFRAM expects it’ guests to leave the event happy.
“They say a way to a man’s heart is through the stomach, so we do really concentrate on bringing people together with the food we have here,” Jones added.
The festival that usually sees about 3,500 people over the weekend is expecting up to 6,000 this year. Considering the town has an estimated 15,294 people in it, that’s a significant number.
Although the clouds were above the members setting up and there were a few raindrops, rain was the farthest thing on the committee’s mind.
“The ‘son’ always shines on AFRAM, so we are looking forward to the best crowd ever,” Jones said. “We go forward with confidence, we are really optimistic about bringing this community together, rain or shine we will have a good time.”
The festival kicks off in Seaford on Friday at 5 p.m. with a local talent showcase followed by a dance contest at 6:30 p.m. Rain or shine, festival members are ready to have a good time.
