Elegba Folklore Society, Richmond’s Cultural Ambassador, will present the 31st Down Home Family Reunion, A Celebration African American Folklife on Saturday August 20, 2022 downtown in Historic Jackson Ward’s Abner Clay Park. The festival’s hours are 4p - 11p.

This event features two stages — the Ed Allison Main Stage of world music and dance and the Annie Tyler Children’s Place Stage — the Juanita Ragland Heritage Market of merchandise and food, Waverly Crawley Community Row, folkloric site demonstrations and more.

The components of the festival are named to honor ancestors who have supported and loved Elegba Folklore Society’s programming and Richmond’s heritage.

The festival is designed to connect aspects of West African cultural traditions with African Americans & to show their influence on the American South. Bringing the world home, audiences are exposed to the artistic expressions — performing and material – of African world cultures in a lively, colorful and informing celebration of heritage and light. It is sited in Historic Jackson Ward to call attention to the neighborhood’s illustrious black history and future potential.

The Down Home Family Reunion, A Celebration African American Folklife was named Tourism Event of the Year by Richmond Region Tourism. It is a free family festival.