STEUBENVILLE, OH — The Fourth Annual African American Heritage Festival, Family Reunion, and Community Fun Day has returned to the Northend Ballfield and a portion of North Seventh Street by the park this Saturday.
“We love this festival because it celebrates us—who we are. As the cultural changes, we change too and small businesses,” said African American Heritage Festival Committee member Erica Johnson. “There are many small businesses in the area that people don’t even know about, so we want to let them shine and give them opportunity.”
Businesses from all over the Ohio Valley and beyond, including Youngstown and Cleveland, came to Steubenville for the festival. The event is organized by a committee that works year-round to make it possible. The festival features business and food vendors from all backgrounds, games and activities, and live music from DJ A-Love, an artist from Canton, Ohio, as well as Steubenville hip-hop artist Elijah “Platinum” Fletcher.
“This is my city; I love it and try to give back every year. This is one event I am involved with where I can give back and help out, offering what I have been taught and what God has given me,” said entertainer Anthony Feaster, known as DJ A-Love.
Numerous businesses and food vendors set up on North Seventh Street and inside the North End Ball Field. Vee La Soul Catering, owned by Veronica Pree, is one of them. Pree opened her business in October 2021.
“I started with culinary school and learning the food world inside and out. Being local, I saw my community struggling, so opening my business was the next step I could take,” said Pree. “Vee La Soul Catering can bring employment and something new to our area.”
Another local business, Terrie’s Lemonade, set up shop for the first time this year at the festival, offering lemonade and hot dogs but next year she plans to expand but lemonade will always stay.
“I think we work hard here, so why shouldn’t we reinvest in our community? I love all of this and will definitely be back next year,” said Terrie Dixon, owner of Terries Lemonade.
The festival also featured a giveaway by the local nonprofit Beyond Kids LLC, distributing over 100 backpacks with school supplies to help the local community prepare for the upcoming school year.
Individuals from Judge John Mascio’s Steubenville Municipal Court Community Service Program assisted Maureen Howard in providing opportunities for people to register to vote.
Sponsorships and donations from the community fuel the festival each year, and committee members are already excited for next year.
Organizers from the festival said they are happy to see it grow and have plans to expand it even further next year.
The festival will continue until 9 p.m. on Saturday, and everyone is invited to come out and enjoy all the great things the festival has to offer. It is an open community family reunion, and everyone is welcome.