Black History Family Festival at Elgin's Gail Borden Public Library
An afternoon of storytelling, showstopping performances and educational exhibits awaits visitors to the Gail Borden Public Library during the fifth annual Black History Family Festival on Saturday, Feb. 6.
The free event will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. at the library, located at 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin.
The festival, which drew about 4,800 last year, celebrates the contribution of African-Americans to the history of music-from the freedom songs sung by enslaved Africans more than 300 years ago, to today's R&B and hip-hop.
Festival activities include:
• Children's activities and entertainment from KidWorks.
• An African drumming workshop for students in fifth grade and above.
• A hip-hop dancing workshop for middle and high school students.
• Performances by the Second Baptist Church of Elgin's male chorus with a finale by The Moods.
•Soul food prepared by Elgin Community College Food Services.
• Prizes, giveaways and a commemorative booklet including a brief historical overview of African-American music compiled by Phyllis Folarin, Rise' Jones and Lisa Summerour.
In addition, Elgin Mayor Ed Schock will read a proclamation declaring the first Saturday of February as Black History Family Festival Day.
For information about the festival or parking, contact the Gail Borden Public Library at (847) 429-4680 or visit www.gailborden.info or www.elgin.edu.