The Annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee commemorating the 40th anniversary of Bloody Sunday continues to become a bigger event as more special programs are announced and more celebrities are promising to make an appearance.

At their weekly press conference on Tuesday, Jubilee director Sam Walker and coordinator Faya Rose Toure released the names of several musical acts and guest appearances confirmed for the March 5 afternoon festival on Water Avenue.

Walker said actress Vivica Fox is expected to attend the Freedom Flame Awards banquet and other Jubilee activities.

The musical acts scheduled to perform at the Water Avenue festival include: Li’l Scrappy, Syleena Johnson, Regina Bell, Pilgrim Jubilees of Chicago, Gospel Keynotes, Birmingham Youth Jazz Assemble, Jonathan Callens Jazz Band, Church Street Mafia, Angelic Harmonizers, Friendly Four, Mob G, Slaughter Boys, Rainbow PUSH Coalition Mass Choir, Willie King, ABG’s, and the Bama Hip Hop Showcase.

Tony Bennet and Harry Belafonte have been confirmed for the Flame Awards.

Regrettably, Paul Newman will be unable to attend.

Another popular event set to take place March 4 is the Mock Trial, which will be held from 7:30 p.m.

to 9 p.m. in the second-floor courtroom of the Dallas County Courthouse.

“We are going to be put Bloody Sunday on trial,” Toure said. “This is a free event for everyone.”

The Black Belt Lawyer’s Association is sponsoring the Mock Trial.

Jubilee organizers also want to highlight the March 6 Sunrise Unity Service from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the School of Discovery.

“Ambassador Andrew Young will be delivering the speech,” Walker said. “We are asking all the churches to come out and participate and bring their choirs.”

The Bridge Crossing re-enactment will take place from 2-3 p.m. on the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

At least 40 members of congress, along with their aids and families, are expected to participate in the Bridge Crossing, according to city officials.

“This Jubilee is a work of love,” Toure said. “Up until last week, we had no money for the important events. Every year, we either lose money on the festival or we break even.”

Toure said some of the sponsors this year for the festival include Alabama Power, Calhoun Foods, Wallace Community College Selma, Hyundai, Honda and NASCAR.

“I believe Selma was a chosen place in history,” Toure said. “We want people to come out to this festival and show their support for this city.”