The first Love Fest 2019 – Celebrating Love in Unity event kicked off Saturday in the Bedford Square, offering a time for people of all ages to come together for an afternoon of fun, friendship and food. The gathering took place from noon to 6 p.m. and had a major focus on building up and supporting the youth of our community.
Organizers of the event included Carmen Carter, Owner of Tributes Spiritual Gift Shop, Angela Green, founder of I’m a SURVIVOR Mission, and Ericka Payne from PACT — Police and Community Acting Together. They set up the day to give the youth the opportunity to have a platform of positive expression, and to show them the positivity of love and encouragement.
There were purposely no food trucks or people selling crafts at this festival, but there was lots of entertainment, including many local young people singing, dancing and playing musical instruments. There were also tables set up for creating crafts and a person doing face painting.
Festival-goers were given the opportunity to sign and attach hearts to a large banner, sending love to people or situations that they felt needed it. Food and drink was provided for free, and there was a toy raffle.
The feel of the event was relaxed and upbeat, with lots of smiles. There was a steady flow of people coming, staying for awhile, and then moving on. On average the attendance was more than hundred people at any given time.
Gia Proctor, who works with the youth group at Mt. Zion of Oakwood Village, was one of the attendees on Saturday.
“I’ve know Carmen (Carter) since she opened the shop,” she said. “I saw the fliers and thought this would be a great event for the community so we decided to bring the youth group out.”
Ninety-year-old Beulah Carter attended the event with her daughter and great-grandchild and said she enjoyed the festivities.
“I like the togetherness – like a family,” she said. “God designed it that way, so we might as well love each other.”
Thanks for the great coverage! I hope there is another one.
Thank you. Me too!