Times-Journal writer

According to Unity Fest organizers, the reports of the Labor Day Weekend celebration’s demise are greatly exaggerated.

Despite what some Selma officials said during Wednesday’s City Council meeting, the Unity Fest will go on, according to Too Tuff Entertainment President Roosevelt Johnson.

Johnson said the three-day festival, which was considering Bloch Park, was moved to the Elks Lodge Outdoor Pavilion on Water Avenue.

“We wanted to have it at Bloch Park, but the council was dragging their feet,” Johnson said. “We prepared a list of provisions and how we were going to set things up, but they kept bouncing us around.”

During the regular meeting Wednesday, council members said they had not received sufficient information in regards to security.

Mayor James Perkins Jr. said he thought the event would not happen.

Johnson claims otherwise, but he says he decided to move the event to the Outdoor Pavilion in order to keep Unity Fest on schedule.

“They (the council) dropped the ball,” Johnson said. “Everybody was focused on the election and getting back into office.”

Despite the change in plans, Johnson says Unity Fest will still begin on the evening of Sept. 3 with a talent contest.

On the following Saturday and Sunday, the event will have a wide range of bands to entertain the crowd.

“We have about 30 to 35 bands booked for the festival,” Johnson said.

Cassandra Moten, event coordinator for Too Tuff Entertainment, said some of the bands on Saturday include Mr. Dah, Mr. Easy, Young Wun, Dirty, Do or Die, Unwanted, Lay Lines Band, and more.

The festivities will end on Saturday night with a Selma Local Hour, featuring the music of local singers and musicians.

On Sunday, gospel fans will be able hear from groups such as New Traveler, the Elmwood Community Choir, and New Travelers.

“Selma doesn’t have an event that is truly multicultural,” Johnson said. “This will be a platform for everyone to come together and have a good time.”

More up-to-date information about Unity Fest will be broadcast on the radio station 105.3 FM.