Visitor Guide
Help
Visit BmoreHappy.com
 

2009 African American Heritage Festival

July 3, 2009 - July 5, 2009 | All Day

Camden Yards Sports Complex
333 Camden St.
Baltimore, MD 21201

Website

The African American Heritage Festival made a stellar debut with an impressive first year attendance of over 300,000 participants. Now in a continued partnership with the city, and a new corporate Chair, the heritage festival joins efforts with Commercial Interiors and the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA), to attract national visitors.

Click here for hotels specials for the African American Heritage Festival and July 4th Weekend.

The Heritage Festival, taking place July 3-5 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards M & T Bank Complex, will feature new and inspiring educational exhibits, exciting children’s corner, ethnic foods, and art, local and national talent. National headline artists include Anita Baker, Teena Marie, EnVogue, and Raheem DeVaughn. Limited reserved seats are available via

Ticketmaster ($40, $50, $80).


Anthony Freeman, Chair, African American Heritage Festival Foundation, said, “I look forward to assisting the Heritage Festival in building upon its brand.  This Festival is a very successful staple to the African American community, much to the credit of its many volunteers who help produce the event.  I intend to leverage my strategic, operational and concept development expertise to expand its platform nationally.


New partner, Commercial Interiors, will provide site logistics and enhancements with the use of vibrant colors and the traditional look of authentic African culture.  Each festival attraction is self contained within programmatic “zones”.  Zones feature large festive gateways designed to welcome guests as they enter and exit the festival. New directional signs and information booths offer assistance to guests seeking information about programming in areas of health, financial literacy, history and education.


The African American Heritage Festival offers a safe environment and is a family celebration offering African American history in both visionary and the performing arts.  The Arts, History and Education Zone will be an enriching experience featuring a Spelling Bee Competition, Fashion Show, K-12 and higher education initiatives, and exhibits from the Reginald F. Lewis and Great Blacks in Wax museums and Black Scientists and Inventors.


In an effort to attract more visitors to Baltimore City, BACVA partners this year providing the Festival with the opportunity to expand its reach to potential visitors in its nationwide tourism campaign. This campaign features the Heritage Festival as a major attraction in the region while asking travelers to consider Baltimore as a top destination for leisure travel.


Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon, said, “The City is delighted to be a long-time partner with the African American Heritage Festival.  This event is exciting, offering guests an eclectic range of culture from the African Diaspora. Besides the wonderful entertainment, food and activities, this event provides resources and direct services to a community combating disparities in the areas of education, financial literacy, and health.”


The much anticipated Mayor Sheila Dixon’s annual 1.5Mile Walk and 5K race is back,   sponsored by St. Agnes Hospital. To sign up for the challenge and for more information visit www.charmcityrun.com.  Other health and wellness sponsors include Maryland General and St. Joseph Hospitals, WMAR TV2 and Heart & Soul Magazine.


This year the Festival expands the popular Empowerment Zone where areas of focus include employment, predatory lending, foreclosures, and small business. Guests will have the opportunity to speak with certified staff who are trained to educate and provide resources in these and other areas affecting the African American community.


In addition to offering a variety of foods, carnival rides, community organizations, critical health screenings and the festival is proud to feature a comprehensive eclectic range of music on two stages including Reggae, Soul, Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, and Gospel.


The 2009 festival hours are:
Friday, July 3 – 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday, July 4 – 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, July 5 – 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Admission to the festival is free for children 12 and under, general admission is $5.

Guests are encouraged to take the MTA down to the Festival via the light rail Hamburg and Camden Lines, Lexington Market subway or #27 bus routes.

For detailed information about the festival, including schedule of activities, sponsor, vendor and volunteer inquires please log on to www.aahf.net or call 410-235-4427 ext. 211.


Major sponsors of the 2009 Festival include: City of Baltimore, Budweiser, Care First Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cricket Communications, DHCD, Grey Goose, Maryland Lottery, Maryland Physicians Care, MTA – Maryland Transit Administration, McDonalds, M&T Bank, Nielsen, State Farm, and Verizon Wireless.