Estela Hernández
Public Information Office
214-670-1009

South Dallas/Fair Park Celebrates Halloween with 31^st Harambee Festival

Dallas – The South Dallas/Fair Park community invites families to its 31^st Harambee Festival, a safe alternative to Halloween trick or treating.  The festival named Harambee, a Swahili word meaning “let’s pull together” or “unity” will be held October 29 at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, 2922 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

This year’s festival “Harambee: Our Community Coming Full Circle/Getting Back to the Basics/Returning to Our Roots!” marks the 31^st celebration since community leaders in 1974 organized the festival to protect children on Halloween night in the South Dallas/Fair Park community.

Thirty-one years later, event organizers plan to host an estimated 15,000 people and give away more than 4,000 bags of candy to children, while supplies last, and showcase more than 40 local and national entertainment acts.

Harambee Festival Highlights Include:

●9 a.m. - The Francis Burns Heritage Parade beginning at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard/Lamar Street intersection and marching to the community center. 

●10 a.m. - A libation, a ceremony of thanks to African ancestors, will be given by King Asanteman and the Kete warriors to open the festival.

●Children’s play area in the Arthello Beck Wototo Village such as the Inner City Fishing Institute’s fishing,  archery games, hand painting by the Youth Etiquette Symphony, a special appearance by Toys ‘R’ Us giraffe mascot Geoffrey, and other games.

●Health and Safety Fair

●The Founder’s Corner, located on the MLK Center grounds near Malcolm X Boulevard and Pennsylvania Avenue, will feature poet and storyteller performances, African music and dance acts, and jazz performances.

●Early Days of Harambee Photographic Display   

 For more information about the Harambee Festival, vendor or sponsorship opportunities contact Jorge Guerra at 214-670-8355.           

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