June 17, 2017 6:26 PM
From dancing the electric slide to waving hands to gospel sounds, hundreds flocked to the Woodruff Riverfront Park Saturday for the 31st Annual Family Day Music Festival in Columbus.
Sponsored by the Davis Broadcasting Inc., the event was held a day before Father’s Day for families to relax and enjoy hip-hop, gospel, pop and rap music. The stage was filled with a live DJ and entertainers, and food trucks, a free kids zone and other activities were along the riverfront.
“We are out here having fun, listening to great music and enjoying each other,” Geniece Granville, vice president and general manager of Davis Broadcasting said. “We are having a good time with family.”
The 2-8 p.m. event included entertainment from artists that included gospel music from Jermaine Dolly, Chante’ Moore, Nick Grant, Peggy Jenkins and others.
“We are having some good-feeling music,” Granville said.
The Rev. Aaron Harris, 63, came from Buena Vista to listen to gospel groups that went on stage about 3:30 p.m. This is the fourth time Harris and his wife have been to Family Day. The classic car show was his favorite feature when it was held in the parking lot at the Civic Center.
“We started when they were at the Civic Center,” he said. “I liked it at the Civic Center because I could see those pretty cars out there. They don’t have them over here. I liked to go over there. It is alright here. You got to do what you got to do.”
The event was held at the Civic Center and South Commons before it moved to the riverfront. Its longest stay was at Cooper Creek Park before moving to the city.
Thimothy Taylor, who uses a wheelchair, was at the event to spread the news for individuals, families and caregivers whose lives have been affected by paralysis. Taylor said he has been disabled since he slipped in a muddy ditch in Columbus in 2006.
Taylor, 45, is chair of the Columbus Chapter of the United Spinal Association. He’s thankful for the festival a day before Father’s Day.
“It’s good to enjoy a Father’s Day weekend,” he said with a smile. “I have five kids, five grandkids and one on the way.”
Geoffrey Ward of Columbus said he has been coming to the event as long as he can remember. “I like everything about it, “ he said.
For five or six years, the event wasn’t held on the day before Father’s Day, but Granville said she’s happy it’s back on the original schedule this year.
“We are glad to be back on the original weekend,” she said. “Father’s Day is tomorrow. Treat your fathers.”
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