Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival Canceled, Old Fourth Ward Unity Day Rescheduled Following Weather Concerns

Two major Annapolis celebrations of culture, history and community were affected by Saturday’s weather, with the Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival canceled and the Old Fourth Ward Unity Day Community Celebration rescheduled for next weekend.

Organizers of the 36th Annual Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival announced Saturday that the festival, scheduled for September 26 from noon to 7 p.m. at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, would not move forward because of the weather.

The annual festival has become one of Annapolis’ signature cultural celebrations, honoring the legacy of Kunta Kinte while celebrating African, African American and Caribbean history, culture and traditions.

This year’s celebration was also set to recognize the 50th anniversary of Roots under the theme, “Our Roots. Our Story.”

The scheduled lineup included Grammy-nominated artist MuMu Fresh, Annapolis favorites Clones of Funk and go-go band Pock3t, along with cultural performances, food, vendors, activities and community programming.

As of Saturday afternoon, organizers had not announced a new date for the Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival.

Across Annapolis, another longstanding community celebration will still have its day.

The Old Fourth Ward Unity Day Community Celebration, originally scheduled for Saturday at People’s Park at Calvert and Clay streets, has been rescheduled for Saturday, October 3, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The annual gathering celebrates the history, people and community spirit of Annapolis’ historic Old Fourth Ward.

According to the updated event announcement, the October 3 celebration is expected to include opening prayer and gospel, music, special announcements, a presentation on the history of the Old Fourth Ward, a youth dance team, inspirational motivational speaker Mr. Glover-Bey and the Deborah Ann Johnson Memorial Scholarship presentation.

Scheduled performers include the Rodney Kelley Experience, Pressure Band, Prophecy Band, Pock3t Band, Mr. Rick and the Rock Steady Project.

While Saturday’s weather changed plans for two highly anticipated Annapolis events, the significance behind both celebrations remains unchanged. Each represents an opportunity to celebrate heritage, recognize community history and bring generations together.

For the Old Fourth Ward, that celebration will continue next Saturday. Organizers of the Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival have not yet announced whether another date will be scheduled.