By Blake Deshazo | The Selma Times-Journal

As the thousands of people marched Sunday across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, they were greeted with a concert put on by BET and CentricTV.

The concert featured a lineup of artists that consisted of hip-hop, R&B and gospel musicians. Among the musical acts were BeBe Winans, Doug E. Fresh, Flavor Flav and Vanilla Ice.

“We came out here to enjoy the evening with you. We can all come together because yesterday was history, tomorrow is a mystery, but it is important to know your history,” Vanilla Ice said as he took the stage. “That’s why I’m honored to be here among everybody to remember this moment forever. That’s what makes our future brighter. We’ve come a long way in 50 years, and we’re gonna go a long way in the future.”

As the all too familiar riff of “Ice Ice Baby” echoed across the bridge, thousands of people danced and sang along.

“This is the best jubilee ever. I have never seen so many people,” said Selma resident Martisa Lanier. “It is major [to see something like this] because we’ve never had this many entertainers come [to Selma], and I’m glad that they took the time out of their busy schedule to come and be a part of this wonderful celebration with us.”

Another crowd favorite was Arrested Development, who performed “Take Me to Another Place.”

“My favorite artist that performed [Sunday night] was Arrested Development because they are more of an urban group instead of a rock group or jazz group or anything of that nature,” said Ollie Harris, who came from Montgomery to participate in the 50th anniversary celebration. ���There have been a lot of artists, and then they have a message with it, so it has been fantastic.”

While the concert was memorable for Harris, it is the entire weekend spent in Selma that he will cherish forever.

“It is an experience that I’ll never forget. I’ll take it with me for the rest of my life, and I’ll cherish it for the rest of my life. I can tell my kids and my grandkids,” Harris said in-between performers.

“If everybody can come together like we’re doing here today, then the world can be a beautiful place.”