Grandparents Family Day set for Saturday
The Old Skool Players will be among the groups performing on Saturday.
PHOTO/LOUIE MOORE
An event that brings the entire community of Cleveland together in the spirit of social awareness, culture and fun, Grandparents Family Day will unfold on Saturday July 28 from 11a.m. to 6p.m. at Luke Easter Park. Admission is free and open to the public!
This year’s theme is “Connecting Families: “From the Device Back to the Dinner Table.”
Held in the heart of the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood, the Grandparents Family Day Picnic will celebrate, recognize and emphasize the importance of grandparents in strengthening the American family unit with a day of bonding, educational resources, fun and entertainment including the Stokes Legacy All-Star Jazz Jam Session featuring 25 Cleveland musicians including J.T. Lynch, Michael J. Calhoun, Shirley Cook, Ron Davis, Lem Adams, Gary Stevenson, Cecil Rucker, Kenny Davis, Eddie Bacchus Sr., Russell Thompson, Kevin Conwell, Niles McKinney, Sammy DeLeon and Jackie Warren with special guest Greg Bandy; a special section designated for “Seasoned Seniors”; PAPA”s PlayLand, a play area for children with Hoola Hoops, Tug of War, Sack Races and Jump Rope; NANA’s Place for Grandma’s and Ma’s, City of Cleveland Pavilion, Cuyahoga County Pavilion and free hot dogs - while they last - along with select menu items from Beckham’s B&M Bar-B-Que available for purchase. There will also be a variety of vendors, prizes and much more!
Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson and County Executive Armond Budish are the Honorary Chairs for the event.
Grandparents Family Day will rally the communities together while promoting family unity and community culture, but it also provides a bevy of network agencies opportunities to mentoring, counseling and social welfare.
Many of the participating families have been strained out of the mainstream of life through poverty and various others such as socioeconomically, but their vibrant spirit and commitment to their families keep them going strong.
It is the goal of the Grandparents Family Day Picnic to continue to strengthen family and organizers believe that in order to strengthen and improve communities, they must start with the family first.
The picnic has proven to be a tremendous avenue to elevate that mission, with additional resources and information provided to the families and integrating those families strategically to obtain the goods and services they require.
Councilmembers Kevin Conwell, Phyllis Cleveland, and co-chair Cordell Stokes, the son of Cleveland’s first Black Mayor Carl Stokes and the nephew of legendary Congressman Louis Stokes. Al Grimes is also a co-chair for the 2018 event.
The event is organized by staunch community advocate Louie Moore and the Call & Post Executive Director, Minister Dale Edwards is among the contributors of the event.
Participants will be treated to a day of fun, food and games for both adults and children.
Among the bevy of community partners are the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cuyahoga Community College, Daves Markets, B&M Barbeque, City of Cleveland Water, Stokes Legacy Foundation and many others.
The 3rd Annual Grandparents Family Day Picnic is sponsored by: Cuyahoga County, Fatherhood Initiative, City of Cleveland Water Department, RPM, Eliza Bryant, E.F. Boyd & Son, Inc. Funeral Home and Crematory; Eliza Bryant Village, Famicos Foundation, Dave’s Supermarket, B&M Bar BQ, Cavs & Media Sponsor Call & Post, Juvenile Court Judge Denise Rini and Brick City Productions. Community Supporters are TRI-C, Mt. Pleasant Ministerial Alliance, Clergy Coalition, New Direction Church, Department of Veterans Affair, Garden Valley Community Center, Harvard Community Center, Kevin Rogers-Open Arms Adult Care Facilities and Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge.
For more information, contact 216-390-0957, or visit www.grandparentsfamilyday.com
