CHESTERTOWN — Legacy Day 2024 pays tribute to the vital role of fraternal and community service organizations in fostering strength and solidarity within Kent County’s African American community for well over a century. These organizations have been at the forefront of nurturing cultural pride and identity, providing essential services to those in need and advocating for social justice.
The 11th edition of Legacy Day, which celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Kent County’s African American community, kicks off Friday night, Aug. 16 and continues through Sunday afternoon, Aug. 18.
Sumner Hall and the Historical Society of Kent County continue as the lead sponsors.
The exhibit honoring local Black fraternal and community service organizations opened Aug. 2 at the historical society’s Bordley History Center as part of downtown Chestertown’s monthly observance of First Friday.
The exhibit at the Bordley History Center (301 High St.) will remain up throughout the month of August.
A separate exhibit, titled “Pride Without Prejudice: The Debutantes of Kent County,” will open Friday night, Aug. 16 from 6 to 7 o’clock at Sumner Hall (206 S. Queen St.) and remain up through Sept. 30.
From 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, also at Sumner Hall, various community organizations will be honored — from longstanding groups such as the Masons, Order of the Eastern Star, Elks, American Legion, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and Charles Sumner Post #25-Grand Army of the Republic to relative newcomers such as the Bayside HOYAS (Helping Our Youth Achieve Success) and Minary’s Dream Alliance.
After that, until 10 p.m., there will be a reception and street party at the Port of Chestertown Marina in the 200-block of South Water Street.
Saturday’s activities include a gospel concert at Janes United Methodist Church (120 S. Cross St.) at 2 p.m., the Legacy Day parade down High Street at 4 p.m. and a dance party in the 200-block of High Street from 5 to 9 p.m.
The culminating event is a celebration of local Black authors on Sunday at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 101 N. Cross St. The authors will be available for questions and book signings from noon to 2 p.m. To register for this free event, see www.sumnerhall.org.
Visit www.sumnerhall.org for complete details of all offerings for Legacy Day weekend.
The inaugural Legacy Day was held in August 2014. The honoree was business owner Charlie Graves (1919-1990) and his Uptown Club in Chestertown, a stop on the Chitlin Circuit that featured stars as bright as Etta James, James Brown, B.B. King, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Otis Redding, Ray Charles and Patti LaBelle.
Since then, African American churches, educators, musicians, athletes and coaches, and veterans have been recognized.
Local partners make it possible to offer Legacy Day at no cost to the public. They include The Bookplate, the Chesapeake Heartland project at The Starr Center at Washington College, Chestertown RiverArts and KidSPOT, Chesapeake College, Downtown Chestertown Association, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Garfield Center for the Arts, the Hedgelawn Foundation, Janes United Methodist Church, Kent County Economic Development Office, Kent Cultural Alliance, Minary’s Dream Alliance, Evan W. Smith Funeral Services and the Town of Chestertown, as well as individual and organizational sponsors.
One Response
Thank you, Trish McGee, for a wonderful story on this year’s Legacy Day. Such in-depth reporting is what we have come to expect from the Evening Enterprise.