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Mammogram anyone? How about
a flu shot? Or you may want to bring
the children out for
some family fun
with entertainment
for all ages and
good food.
Well, KwanzaaFest is
just the place to be.
This weekend
the excitement
begins for the 17th
year with two
action-packed
days.
"KwanzaaFest begins at 9 a.m.
with the second annual Beat Obesity
5K Walk and
Run," said Dallas
County
Commissioner
John Wiley
Price."Then the
doors to the
Automobile
Building open
with the pouring
of libations."
In addition to
hundreds of
vendors who
come from around the country, a big
feature is Healthfest. Healthcare professionals from numerous agencies
will be in attendance to answer
medical questions, perform screenings and adminis-
ter flu shots to the
thousands who are
expected to walk
through the doors
at what Price calls
the largest
Kwanzaa celebration in the country.
Founded in
1991 and focusing
on the principles
of the African
American holiday, Kwanzaa,
KwanzaaFest has continued to grow
over the years, bringing in a host of
speakers, including former U.S.
Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders,
economist Julianne Malveaux,
professor and social commentator
Michael Eric Dyson and tv and radio Carol Brandon, who died
earlier this year of breast
cancer.
"Carol was always there,"
said Price. "She believed in
what we were trying to do
and her presence will be
missed but not forgotten as
we honor her while also part-
nering with Susan G. Komen
(organization) to share very
important information about
breast cancer.
"We have something for
the entire family," said the
commissioner, as he talked
about special features of the
event that are in line with the
seven principles of
Kwanzaa. "And its all free.
If you calculated the benefits
for healthcare, I'm taliking
about over $3,000 in
services you can receive.
You can almost get your
annual checkup at
KwanzaaFest."
Although the holiday isn't
until later in the month,
beginning on December 26
and continuing through to
January 1, commissioner
and organizers say that
KwanzaaFest increases
public awareness about the
holiday and the significance
of the principles.
"KwanzaaaFest has made
the transition from a vision
of educating and equipping a
community in 1991 to
standing as an institution in
this community and is
thoughtfully constructed to
offer something substantial
to its audience without
regard to age, race, gender
and culture," added Price.
"We've come a long way
since Papa Bear (Dr.
Napoleon Lewis) opened the
doors for the first
KwanzaaFest at Lincoln
High School."
The popular event has a
sister event in Fort Worth.
KwanzaaWest will be on
December 30 at O.D.Wyatt
High School.
WHAT: KwanzaaFest 2007
WHERE: Automobile Building in Fair Park
WHEN: Saturday December 8, 10a.m.- 6p.m.
Sunday, December 9, 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.
WHAT: KwanzaaWest 2007
WHERE: O.D. Wyatt High School, Fort Worth
WHEN: Sunday, December 30, 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.
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