For roughly 50 years, friends Jean Thomas and Lillian Southern have been like sisters, and for the last decade have made the Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion Celebration a family tradition of their own.

Avondale Lions members had more than 200 kids march in the parade Saturday. (Tony Jones photo) | ZOOM |

        The Indianapolis duo, in their 70s, was among an estimated 50,000-70,000 attendees at Saturday's events in Sawyer Point. Despite the occasional rain, the 14th annual event was an opportunity to celebrate family values and community unity, said Cassandra Robinson, of Forest Park, the event coordinator.

        “It brings together all aspects of the community,” she said. “We can come together so we can talk and hug and get to know one another.”

        The three-day celebration ends today.

        A parade kicked off Saturday's events, when at 10 a.m. drill teams, marching bands and community groups left Union Terminal.

IF YOU GO

Today is the last day for the 14th annual Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion Celebration at Sawyer Point.    Pavilions and booths are open from noon to 6 p.m.    At Yeatman's Cove, Jammin' on the Cove runs from 2 to 7 p.m. with a gospel concert from 5 to 9 p.m.    At 3:45 p.m., Mary Wilson of The Supremes will perform.    Other events include health screenings, spa services, chess games, Internet instruction and spiritual ministries.    For more information, go online to http://www.midwestbfrc.com or call 531-4877.

        Rain clouds threatened to damper spirits, but parade participants like Shanna Dickenson, a trombone player with Aiken High School marching band, helped keep the small crowd of attendees dancing.

        “We just want to leave here with everyone happy,” the 15-year-old College Hill resident said as she danced along the parade route.

        Organizers hoped the event could help heal a city rocked by riots and an economic boycott. This year, more emphasis was placed on bringing a diverse crowd to the event.

        “We didn't know that people (who aren't black) didn't feel welcome,” Ms. Robinson said of past years. “It never, ever was intended to be exclusive.”

        A small number of non-African Americans 1/2ndash 3/4 including Jim Katenkamp, 40, of St. Bernard 1/2ndash 3/4 did attend, and said they felt welcome.

        Alan and Janice Yarbrough, an interracial couple from Sharonville, have attended the event for about four years. They felt that many white people did not feel comfortable coming to the event.

Ora Strong (left), Lucille Kelley (center) and Katherine Hayes, all of Indianapolis, sport umbrella hats as they attend the Black Family Reunion at Sawyer Point (Greg Ruffing photo) | ZOOM |

        “Despite what goes on today, there's still going to be animosity,” the 34-year-old man said of the racial tensions. “There's a lot of people who won't come to this. But a person like me is not going to let that stop me.”

        Others felt the celebration should be an opportunity to look beyond race and start connecting as a community.

        “Sometimes you just have to put down the barriers,” said Tim Thornton of Forest Park, who volunteered at a booth with his 14-year-old son. “Life's just too short.”

        Cincinnati native Mike McCoy agreed.

        “We put too much emphasis on race relations instead of friendship relations,” the 48-year-old Finneytown resident said. “But we're all family here.”

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