The 19th Annual Festival of Life was held in Washington Park over the July 4 weekend.
This
year, festival goers had four music destinations from the diaspora each day of
the festival to choose from: Potpourri of Diasporic music, Haiti, Jamaica and
Soca music.
As is its
tradition - and appeal for thousands of attendees - the festival offered an
eclectic mix of food, jewelry and authentic textiles and crafts. Many visitors
were seen perusing vendors, look through their wares and inquiring about the
origins.
The
explosion of red, green and black – typical colors of nations of African
heritage – framed many booths and music covers at just about every corner of
the festival. Festival-goers are treated to musical acts on two separate
stages. The sounds of reggae, R&B and gospel served as a soundtrack as
patrons took in the festival.
The food
court offered curried goat dishes, jerk chicken and red snapper.
For the
less adventurous palette, there was familiar American fare: polish sausage,
hotdogs and French fries.
By the
festival's end, visitors had an authentic feel for the Diaspora.
Copyright
2011 Chicago Defender
