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| 1975: Kentucky Governor Julian Carroll presents WC Young with a check to support the WC Young Center. |
"The Eighth of August is the Emancipation Celebration of freeing African Americans from 246 years of slavery," notes Commissioner Robert Coleman, who's also the president of the WC Young Center. "This year, we're also focusing on the role that the black church has held in the history of African Americans. We invite everyone to come out and participate.
"Our Friday morning breakfast, this year on 08/08/08, is always popular," Commissioner Coleman adds. "About 200 or 300 people come to shake hands and greet one another at the WC Young Center. And everyone is invited to all of our other events, too. We hope everyone will take part in some way."
Here's the latest schedule — please send an email if we're missing anything, and we'll add it to the list!
Wednesday, August 6
Youth ActivitiesWC Young Center
505 South 8th St.
4-8 p.m.
myspace.com/wcyoungcenter
Stop by this kick off to the Eighth of August Emancipation Celebration! Arts, crafts, fish fry and street dance! Organizers: Donna Bunch and George Ross.
Steak & Burger DinnerBenefits Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club
Robert Cherry Civic Center
6 p.m.
oscarcrossbandg.com
Don't miss this annual Boys & Girls Club Fundraiser. Featured speaker: University of Kentucky's Winston Bennett. $20 single; $35 couple. For tickets, call Leslie Heath, 331.2506. For more info, call Marsha Roundtree, 444.7300, x220.
Thursday, August 7
Hotel Metropolitan724 Oscar Cross Blvd.
11 a.m.-7 p.m.
thehotelmetropolitan.org
This historic spot is open to the public today!
African American Heart Disease SeminarWestern Baptist Hospital
Noon
westernbaptist.com
Baptist Heart Center Cardiologist Patrick Withrow, Emergency Nurse Alvita Jones and heart disease survivor Ron Pullen lead this lunch seminar focused on how heart disease affects African Americans. A free heart-healthy meal included. Reservations are required — first come, first served. 575.2918.
2nd Annual Flag Football GameOld Lincoln High School Lot
4-8:30 p.m.
Southside vs. Northside
Break out those mouth guards and shoulder pads! Organizers: Donna Bunch and George Ross.
WC Young Center Open House
505 South 8th St.
6-8 p.m.
myspace.com/wcyoungcenter
Recognizing and honoring church members with 50 years plus tenure from area churches. Organizers: Connie Coleman and Melvie Lowery.
History of Upper Town
Across from Hotel Metropolitan
724 Oscar Cross Blvd.
6-10 p.m.
thehotelmetropolitan.org
Speakers, Civil War re-enactors, vendors, entertainment and games.
Tracing Your Roots: African American GenealogyMcCracken County Public Library
Upstairs Community Room
7 p.m.
mclib.net
Come and discover your own family history. Local genealogist Stefan Jagoe, youth minister at Grace Episcopal Church, shares his knowledge and insight from more than 20 years of research. Free.
Friday, August 8
Annual Emancipation BreakfastWC Young Center
505 South 8th St.
7-11 a.m.
myspace.com/wcyoungcenter
This is the breakfast event of the year! Come and enjoy the best breakfast in town and some excellent fellowship. $6 donation. 444.6583. Paducah native and author Dr. Lottie Matthews Lecian will be on hand to autograph her book, "Pool Road and Other Unearthed Stories." Commissioner Robert Coleman wrote the forward. Organizer: Mary Pettus-Rowland.
The Kentucky Commission on Human RightsCity Hall
City Commission Chamber
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
The state commission is holding its monthly meeting in Paducah! It's open to all who'd like to see how the state commission works.
Oscar Cross Home Open House621 Ohio St.
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Stop by the historical Oscar Cross Home for hot dogs, lemonade, balloons and gospel music! This fundraiser benefits the Oscar Cross Legacy Foundation, working to restore the home. For more info, call Leslie Heath, 331.2506.
Hotel Metropolitan724 Oscar Cross Blvd.
11 a.m.-5 p.m.
thehotelmetropolitan.org
This historic spot is open to the public today!
Upper Town Annual Fish Fry
Hotel Metropolitan
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
thehotelmetropolitan.org
Everyone is invited to this annual fish fry!
3rd Annual Cledis Lamont Settles Scholarship Awards WC Young Center
505 South 8th St.
11:30 a.m.
myspace.com/wcyoungcenter
Celebrate scholarship and the life of Cledis Lamont Settles!
Vendors in the Park Music Gumbo Festival7th Annual Big House Gaines 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
Blackburn Park
Noon-10:30 p.m.
OK, all you Michael Jordans and Scotty Pippins! Bring on your game! And enjoy music and gumbo, too! Organizer: George Ross.
The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Public Advocacy HearingCity Hall
City Commission Chamber
1-3 p.m.
The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights invites everyone to this public advocacy hearing featuring the discussion: "Does Kentucky respect the bridge that brought us over?" Also includes an assessment of equal opportunity for aging Kentuckians.
Family Fun724 Oscar Cross Blvd.
Across from the Hotel Metropolitan
6-9 p.m.
thehotelmetropolitan.org
Everyone is invited for music, games, vendors and fun!
Annual Emancipation DanceRobert Cherry Civic Center
9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Don't miss this fun night featuring Old Soul from Macon, Ga. $20 donation. Contact Eric Patterson, 366.1795.
Saturday, August 9
5th Annual Bobby Jones Memorial Scholarship FundraiserUS Bank
333 Broadway, 3rd Fl.
9-11:30 a.m.
Meet and congratulate the two recipients of the 2008 Bobby Jones Memorial Scholarship and enjoy a delicious array of foods on the breakfast/brunch menu. $30 tax-deductible donation with proceeds going to the scholarship fund. Purchase tickets by calling 442.3025.
Annual Emancipation ParadeWalter Jetton @ Washington Street to Blackburn Park.
9 a.m. Line up
10 a.m. Start
Classic cars, floats, music! You'll find it all at this annual parade! Organizers: Paducah Branch NAACP, Donna Bunch and JW Cleary.
Vendors in the Park Music Gumbo FestivalBlackburn Park
11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Don't miss the music, gumbo and watermelon steal! Organizer: George Ross.
Hotel Metropolitan11 a.m.-5 p.m.
thehotelmetropolitan.org
This historic spot is open to the public today!
Upper Town Annual Fish Fry
Hotel Metropolitan
724 Oscar Cross Blvd.
11 a.m.-6 p.m.
thehotelmetropolitan.org
Everyone is invited to this annual fish fry!
Second Annual Get Your Shine On Car ShowBlackburn Park
2 p.m. Judging
5 p.m. Trophy Presentation
Pre-register your car for this awesome show — prizes in all sorts of classes! $10 early registration: $15 day of. For more info, call Shelby, 556.0639. Sponsored by iList Paducah!
Emancipation Teen Dance
Robert Cherry Civic Center
5-8 p.m. and 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
The young people take to the dance floor! Organizer: Donna Bunch.
Family Fun724 Oscar Cross Blvd.
Across from the Hotel Metropolitan
6-9 p.m.
thehotelmetropolitan.org
Everyone is invited for music, games, vendors and fun!
Sunday, August 10
Vendors in the Park Music Gumbo FestivalBlackburn Park
1-7 p.m.
My Baby So Beautiful Contest, So You Think You Can Sing, Hip Hop Fashion Show and Gospel in the Park. Organizers: George Ross and Donna Bunch.
Salute to Gospel Music Part XXVI Memorial TributeHarrison Street Missionary Baptist Church
1126 Harrison St.
4 p.m.
harrisonstreetbaptist.org
Enjoy the area's best gospel music. Organizers: Shirley Bunch, Rose Lowery and Kate Senter.
