The Truth Staff
The annual African American Parade on Saturday morning, July 18, was a very appropriate way to start a day of celebration and entertainment. After several days of general cloudiness and overcast skies due to the Canadian wildfires, the sun burst through and the blue sky opened up on Saturday to welcome the paradors and the spectators.
And this day was even more special because it was the 30th anniversary for the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union, the organizer of the African American Festival.
And it was larger than ever – schools, elected officials, local organizations, dancing groups, Jeeps, Corvettes and Slingshots. Bigger and better and lots more candy for the kids along the route.
As usual the parade started at the Door Street branch (now The LaValley Branch) of the credit union and proceeded east on Dorr towards downtown.
The parade was part of several days of activities related to the annual festival. On Monday, July 13, the credit union held a Prayer in the Parking Lot, led by Rev. Timothy Pettaway. On Thursday morning, the Dorr Street branch was renamed The LaValley Branch and a Driver License Reinstatement Clinic was held later in the afternoon.
The annual Prayer Breakfast took place at Indiana Avenue Missionary Baptist Church on Friday morning and after the Saturday parade, the music festival on Saturday night closed out the week’s activities.
