The Black Health Commission is sponsoring the fourth annual Blk Joy Festival on Saturday, August 24, to share information about community resources.
But the festival is also a party, with music, food, drinks and fun. Admission is free, but advance tickets are suggested.
The festival will include a Wellness Zone with yoga, cooking demonstrations and presentations, a Kid Zone, a performance stage and a Mom Zone, with information about childbirth, health, resources and support. The Kid Zone will include an Orange County Library Guided Storywalk at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Performances will be from 2:30 to 3 p.m.
Kleaver Cruz, author of “The Black Joy Project,” will be at the festival, conducting interviews with participants about Black Joy.
The event is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lake Lorna Doone Park, 1519 West Church Street, Orlando, Florida 32805
The Black Health Commission shared on its Facebook page why it celebrates Black Joy in August:
August is a month of significant historical events that have shaped the Black experience, making it the perfect time for the BLK Joy Festival. Black August began in the 1970s to honor George Jackson, a revolutionary and member of the Black Panther Party, who was killed on August 21, 1971. This month highlights the struggle for Black liberation and resistance against oppression.
Other Key Historical Events in Black August:
1. Nat Turner’s Rebellion (August 21, 1831)
2. The Haitian Revolution (August 22, 1791)
3. Formation of the Underground Railroad (August 1843)
4. Emancipation of Slavery in the Caribbean (August 1, 1834)
5. Birth of Marcus Garvey (August 17, 1887)
6. Watts Uprising (August 11-16, 1965)
7. March on Washington (August 28, 1963)The BLK Joy Festival is a tribute to our resilience, history, and continuous fight for equity and justice. By celebrating in August, we honor the courage and sacrifices of those who came before us, from Nat Turner and the Haitian Revolution to Marcus Garvey and the March on Washington. We also honor George Jackson and the origins of Black August, recognizing the ongoing struggle for liberation.
More free and cheap things to do in Orlando this week
Stay connected with Orlando on the Cheap (for FREE)!
Rent your own Swan Boat at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando.
MORE FREE & CHEAP THINGS TO DO IN ORLANDO
- Mead Gardens is a FREE 47-acre park with an amphitheater, butterfly garden, boardwalk, and bike trail.
- Winter Park Boat Tour: float through the canals and lush landscape of Winter Park’s waterways on a tranquil Scenic Boat Tour.
- Lake Eola features a playground, art sculptures, and swan boats.
- Harry P. Leu Gardens is a 50-acre botanical oasis boasting a rose garden, butterfly garden, and vegetable garden.
- Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is an 11-mile drive with a chance to view native animals in their natural habitat including 174 bird species. The drive is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Photo: Kirk Moore, for Orlando Fringe. Summer of Soul features local musicians.
More Things To Do This Week In Orlando
Here is a calendar of events of all prices this week in and around Orlando. These events are provided by event organizers and others. You can add your own events to this calendar, too.
