Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association invites the community to join them as they commemorate the 100 year anniversary of Chattanooga's historic Lincoln Park. The two day celebration, and sixth annual reunion, will take place on Friday, Sept. 7, and Saturday, Sept. 8, honoring Lincoln Park's past, present and future. Admission starts at $25.
On Friday, from 7-11 p.m., at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, there will be a celebratory fundraiser, featuring food and musical performances from all genres, including country, blues, jazz, rhythm and blues and hip hop. The lineup includes, YGB, Spoonz, Kemo, Keelah Jackson, Natural Habitz, Zowie, DJ Dee, DJ Sleepy and DJ Touch.
On Saturday, from 12-6 p.m., festival-goers may enjoy the 100-yard dash (centennial race), double dutch, hula hoop competition, golf games, vendors and more. Saturday’s musical lineup includes, Floami Fly, Kay B Brown, Marcus Ellsworth, Caleb the Poet, Kimmy J. Soul, Neon Boombox, E. Devante Williams Dance Academy, DJ Tony Dub, and hosted by this year's MC, Erika Roberts.
In previous years, festivities included a day of family reunion-style activities held within the vicinity of Lincoln Park, on the first Saturday after Labor Day. Lincoln Park was built for and dedicated to the African American community in April 1918. It was a popular, safe place for all ages during the Jim Crow-era, offering recreation in baseball, tennis, basketball and swimming. Lincoln Park's reputation has deemed it eligible for the National Register. It was the first place for yearly May Days each spring, just before the start of the baseball season. Lincoln Park was a place of family entertainment, with a miniature zoo beside the Olympic-size pool, and amusement park rides.
Proceeds will help to establish the Lincoln Park Foundation and the preservation of Lincoln Park's history for future generations. For more information, tickets, tables, vendor space, or sponsorships, contact Wiley Morton at (423) 653-4611, or Tiffany Rankins at (423) 255-3538.