Festival to celebrate community spirit

By By Penny Randall / staff writer
June 14, 2002
The 1st Annual East End Unity Festival is set for Saturday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church and organizers hope it brings the Meridian community closer together.
The Knights of St. Peter Claver is a 16-member, nonprofit Catholic fraternal organization. Money raised from the Unity Festival will benefit the organization's scholarship fund for church graduates.
The festival will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. Saturday. The main attraction will be area gospel groups set to perform throughout the day; people are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
The featured group is Marvin Dixon and the Chosen Generation from Meridian. Others set to perform include: Fifth Street Missionary Baptist Church Youth Choir and St. Joseph's choir.
Hill said other interested groups also can perform a sign-up table will be set up for registration.
With Sunday being Father's Day, the festival will have special treats for fathers.
The group also is asking residents to bring canned goods for LOVE's Kitchen, the Meridian-based organization that feeds the poor and homeless. LOVE's Kitchen currently is running low on food items.
The festival also will sell plenty of food and snacks, including fish, sausage dogs, polish sausage, hot dogs and soft drinks.
WANT TO GO?
What: 1st Annual East End Unity Festival.
Where: St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1914 18th Ave.
When: Saturday.
Times: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: Free; food and drink are extra.