By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Green Cove Springs’ 21st Annual Soul Food Music Festival kicks off with a festive parade along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and ends with a day filled with music, games, merchandise, and of course, a variety of food to satisfy everyone. taste bud
This year’s big festival begins at noon on Oct. 1 with the parade ending at Vera Francis Hall Park at 1503 MLK Blvd.
From the beginning until 7 pm, the park will be filled with activities.
Wanda Cobbert’s first grade class at Charles E. Bennett will begin the opening ceremonies by leading the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the presentation of colors by the Florida Youth ChalleNGe Flag Corp. Sylvia Howard will sing the National Anthem and the National Black. Hymn, “Lift up every voice and sing.”
The theme of this year’s festival is: “Get Help, We Care” for Mental Health Awareness.
Entertainment includes The Special Formula Band, Timotheos, Toby’s Steel Drums Karribean Flava, Royale904 and Gospel Hour, presented by Bishop James Lee and Family. This year’s entertainment theme is: “Get Up, Get Down, Get Funky, Get Loose!”
Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Weaver and WWE Hall of Famer Koko B. Ware will meet with residents from noon to 3 p.m.
The festival was created by a group of community volunteers called BATCOP – Breaking Away The Cycle of Pain” in 2002. The event now attracts up to 5,000 visitors each year.
This year’s Grand Marshal is Jason Taylor and Soul Food Festival Queen is Lakeisha Singleton.
A host of other activities for children and adults include a Cornhole and Spades Tournament, BBQ Ribs and Sweet Potato Pie Contests, Maria Horses, Dance Contests, Bounce Houses and Professional Steppers.
Depending on the festival, there will be vendors from near and far, offering a wide variety of delicious country/southern soul food and cuisines served with southern hospitality.
The Greeks will come out and walk to the music of DJ Reggie and Entertainment will be presented by Diddy Coffey aka HOTTCOFFEY Entertainment.
For more information, visit gcssoulfood.net.
