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"Big Quarterly" Gives Another Year Of Celebration And Inspiration

By Lisa Berrien 7/28/09

For 196 years, August Quarterly, also known as Big Quarterly, has been the longest running African American celebration. It is a festive annual celebration to commemorate the founding of the Union Church of Africans, the first African American Church, independently incorporated 1813, in the United States. Educating on the legacy of the founder, Bishop Peter Spencer. It serves as a celebration of freedom of African American religious expression in the US. In the elementary stages of the festival, Harriet Tubman and other conductors of the Underground Railroad gathered in Wilmington to assist with the transportation of slaves.

Lawrence Roane, the administrator of this event, along with his partner Valerie McCoy, have been working diligently to make sure this celebration is a success year to year. Roane, 70, who has been working this event since 17, describes it as a big part of his life, and friends joke "if he passes on, God would just give him back to us in the month of August." Roane is very dedicated to the production of this event and spreading the word wherever he goes and to whomever he meets. Tubman Garrett River Front Park in Wilmington, DE is where the festival will be held this year. The location gives it a really nice atmosphere being by the water and just brings a little peace to the neighborhood. The children in the area are never left out, there will be a host of events to participate in such as the moon bounce, rides, face painting, and a basketball contest. August 29th, the first day of the festival, will be a talent competition for the children that attend to showcase their talents: singing, dancing, etc. "All too often the youth are forgotten and over looked," says Roane.

August Quarterly will take place on August 29th-30th at the Tubman Garrett River Front Park, Wilmington, DE. If you are looking for an event filled with fun and inspiration then let the "Big Quarterly" provide that for you. Lawrence Roane says "Look at Aug Quart not only as a time to renew friendship, but look at it as a celebration of what we do year to year, everything from moms taking care of children, to the work you do on your daily job. It's time to celebrate, have fun, let loose and praise God for what He has done." Go to www.augustquarterly.org for more information on this joyous occasion.

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