27th annual AFRAM Festival teaches and celebrates African American culture

SEAFORD, Del. – Pat Jones, Executive Director of the Eastern Shore AFRAM Festival, said the the past 27 years have been a roller coaster, but their celebration Saturday at the Ross Mansion in Seaford was a dream come true. “It’s always been a dream of mine to bring our culture here because we are part of this rich history…we want you to walk away very prideful of African American culture.”

Jones said that they have something for everyone at AFRAM: “We have food, we have nonprofit information, we have vendors that are celebrating their culture through their wear…local talent is our focus today and we have gospel, R&B, and we also have a Motown show.”

As the historian of the Delaware chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, Skip Hutson used the AFRAM Festival as an opportunity to educate visitors on the African American soldiers who fought in the military after the Civil War: “It’s part of our history, and if we’re celebrating African American history–which is American history–then we show the Buffalo Soldiers were a big part of that.”

From learning about the past to preparing your mind and body for the future, Denise Taylor with Double Dutch Therapy wanted to show festival-goers that grown-ups could learn a thing or two from children. “It’s a great opportunity for women to understand that there’s more to life, that life continues, and it continues as we provide therapy for ourselves through our childhood play,” Taylor said.

All of the AFRAM festivities were held at a historical site where old slave quarters are still standing.

Pat Jones said it helps bring together past and present, and celebrate just how far they’ve come: “It’s not where this is, and it’s not what they did, but it’s what we’re doing now.”