Columbia Gears Up for 2024 Jubilee Festival Celebrating African American Culture and Heritage

Columbia Gears Up for a Celebration of Culture at the 2024 Jubilee Festival

Columbia, S.C. – Mark your calendars! The vibrant and lively 46th annual Jubilee Festival is just around the corner, set to take place on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the historic Mann-Simons Site. This beloved event is a cherished local tradition celebrating African American culture and creativity.

History in the Making

It all began in 1978 when residents of Columbia gathered at this site to honor and celebrate the rich tapestry of Black history. Fast forward nearly 50 years, and the Jubilee Festival is still going strong, providing a powerful tribute to the significant contributions of African Americans in the area.

According to Emily Brown, marketing director of Historic Columbia, “The mission of Historic Columbia is not only to preserve places but to preserve stories that connect us in the present and inspire our shared future… This festival really serves as a powerful tribute to the rich Black history.”

A Day Full of Fun and Entertainment

The Jubilee Festival is a free event running from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and promises an exciting lineup of activities. Visitors can look forward to performances from talented artists including TiffanyJ, Master Splnta (also known as FatRat da Czar), and the Francis Marion University YGB Gospel Choir. With genres ranging from R&B and jazz to hip hop and African drumming, there’s something for everyone!

TiffanyJ, a local R&B artist and steering committee member for the festival, expressed her excitement to return this year. “There’s so much diversity in Black culture. Not only will you get somebody like me that does R&B/soul music, we have African drumming, a fashion show, hip hop, and jazz,” she shared enthusiastically.

Fun for the Whole Family

Families have plenty of activities to look forward to, especially with the dedicated Kids Zone. Children, affectionately referred to as “Jubilee Juniors,” will enjoy free books, ice cream, and face painting. Not to mention, Super Beauty, a superhero character created by TiffanyJ, will make a special appearance to promote self-esteem among the little ones!

A Deep Connection to History

One of the standout features of this festival is its location. The Mann-Simons Site is not just a beautiful setting; it holds historical significance as a home once occupied by an African American family from at least 1843 to 1970. The home gives insight into the lives of notable figures like Celia Mann and her husband, Ben Delane, who were pioneers in their own right.

Thanks to a dedicated grassroots effort, the home was preserved and transformed into a museum in 1978, the same year as the inaugural Jubilee Festival. Brown notes, “If we were planning a festival for 8,000 people and we didn’t care where the location would be, somewhere like the Fairgrounds would make a lot more sense… But we would never think to change the location of it because of its importance.”

Guided Tours and More

In addition to the festival’s main attractions, guided tours of the historical Mann-Simons House and an 1890s era cottage, formerly home to civil rights activist Modjeska Monteith Simkins, will be offered. Guided bus tours will also take visitors through significant historical sites and neighborhoods nearby.

Looking Ahead

The 2024 Jubilee Festival promises not just a day of fun and entertainment, but an opportunity for everyone to connect with Columbia’s rich history. As TiffanyJ wisely stated, “I just want people to leave inspired to keep the train rolling. We have the charge to not only embrace that history and learn that history but to keep the history moving forward.”

So, whether you’re a Columbia local or visiting from afar, the Jubilee Festival invites everyone to come together for a day of joy, creativity, and cultural celebration. Don’t miss out on what promises to be an unforgettable experience!