Richmond Hill Prepares for Third Annual Geechee Gullah Festival
Richmond Hill is eagerly awaiting the third annual Geechee Gullah Festival set to be held this Saturday at J.F. Gregory Park from noon to 5 p.m. The Geechee Gullah festival, co-hosted by the David Boles Foundation, is an event that aims to raise awareness about the integral part that the Geechee Gullah Heritage Corridor has played in Southern U.S. life.
The Geechee Gullah Heritage Corridor
The Gullah-Geechee Heritage Corridor is a part of the United States’ National Park Service, stretching from the North Carolina coast down to Fernandina Beach, Florida. Despite its significant cultural and historical contributions, many Americans remain unaware of the depth and richness of the Gullah Geechee people’s heritage. With this event, Richmond Hill invites everyone to discover and appreciate the legacy of the Geechee Gullah progeny and their continuing influence today.
About the Geechee Gullah Festival
The Geechee Gullah Festival is conceptualized and facilitated by the David Boles Foundation, a local non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating a wholesome community by endorsing educational, recreational, and spiritual strategies. Dr. Karen Boles, a renowned community leader in Richmond Hill and the Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer, insists that the Festival represents all three of these characteristics, as it exhilarates community spirit, endorses learning about the Geechee Gullah culture and traditions, and provides recreational opportunities for people of all ages.
Geechee Gullah’s Historical Significance
The term “Geechees” refers to the formerly enslaved individuals and their descendants in Georgia, with the distinctive name derived from the Ogeechee River. The term “Gullah” refers to the descendants in South Carolina and further north. This year’s festival theme, “Ogeechee in My Blood,” reflects the connection and bond of the Geechee people to this region.
The Festival Activities
The one-day event promises an array of exciting activities, including an introduction to Geechee Gullah food, art, testimonials, and various historical and cultural presentations. Featured performers at the festival include Candice Glover, the season 12 winner of ‘American Idol’ from Beaufort, Vera Manigault, a sweetgrass basket weaver and storyteller, and Reverend Dr. Walter Glover of the National Baptist Convention and Greater Zion Hill Baptist Church in Macon, Ga. Participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to comfortably enjoy the presentations and performances.
“It encapsulates the entire culture, the music, the storytelling, the clothing, the food, and the history,” said Dr. Karen Boles, explaining what makes the festival a must-visit.
Event Details
This community event, the third annual Richmond Hill ‘Geechee Gullah’ Festival, will be held on Saturday, March 23, from noon to 5 p.m. at J.F. Gregory Park, Richmond Hill. Explore and understand a crucial part of our nation’s history while enjoying performances, food, and immersive cultural experiences, unique to the Geechee Gullah Heritage.
