The Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association is hosting the 100th anniversary celebration of Chattanooga's historic Lincoln Park.
A two-day reunion and festival to highlight the past to present, 1918 to 2018, will kick off with a fundraiser at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. M.L. King Blvd., on Friday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m.
Marcus Ellsworth is one of eight acts at Saturday's centennial party in Lincoln Park. (Facebook.com photo)The $25 ticket includes food and musical performances from YGB, Spoonz, Kemo, Keelah Jackson, Natural Habitz, Zowie, DJ Dee, DJ Sleepy and DJ Touch. Tickets will be available at the door.
The celebration continues Saturday, Sept. 8, in Lincoln Park with a free festival from noon to 6 p.m.
The anniversary party includes a 100-yard dash (centennial race), double Dutch jump-rope, hula-hoop competition, golf games, vendors and more.
Entertaining the crowd will be Floami Fly, Kay B Brown, Marcus Ellsworth, Caleb the Poet, Kimmy J. Soul, Neon Boombox, E. Devante Williams Dance Academy and DJ Tony Dub.
Erika Roberts will serve as emcee.
Lincoln Park was built for and dedicated to the African-American community in April 1918. In previous years, festivities have included a day of family-reunion-style activities held in the vicinity of Lincoln Park on the first Saturday after Labor Day and annual May Day celebrations.
The park was a place of family entertainment with a miniature zoo beside the Olympic-size pool and amusement park rides.
Lincoln Park has been deemed eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Proceeds from the weekend will help to establish the Lincoln Park Foundation and preserve Lincoln Park's history for future generations.
For more information, tickets, tables, vendor space or sponsorships, call 423-653-4611 or 423-255-3538.