Honoring Black History Month
Spartanburg honored Black History Month by holding the annual Heritage Parade Saturday in downtown.
MICHAEL JUSTUS/michael.justus@shj.com
Published: Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 5:32 p.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 5:32 p.m.
Some spectators hid from the cold, damp weather in cars along the route, but Saturday's annual Heritage Parade drew a crowd.
This year is the 10th anniversary of the celebration, and the theme was "A Salute to Our Children: They are Our Future." Many parade spectators and participants brought their children. The grand marshals of the parade were community centenarians. Their presence in a limousine symbolized the passing of heritage through the generations, according to the Community Heritage Committee that organized the parade.
Barbara Dawkins of Spartanburg said her children are long grown, but she brought her great-grandson to the parade in hopes of teaching him important lessons from an early age.
"I'm bringing him so he knows his heritage," she said. "He's only 3, but he knows a lot. I don't know how long I'm going to be here to tell him."
The parade isn't about black or white, Dawkins said, it's about community and celebrating progress.
"We have to learn to get along with each other. We have to learn to love one another," she said.
Before departing from Carver Middle School and proceeding down Church Street to the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium, colorful floats, sports cars and bands lined up for blocks. Hundreds of people from church groups, community organizations, government agencies and local schools participated in the parade. Featured bands included Dudley High School Marching Band from Greensboro, N.C. and Harding University High School Band of Gold from Charlotte, N.C.
Robin and Michelle Thompson of Roebuck said they have been coming to the parade since it started, and agreed with Dawkins it is a celebration of the community.
"A lot of the people who are in the parade are important parts of the community," Michelle Thompson said.
This year the couple's son was marching in the parade with the Boy Scouts. He is also a part of his church youth group and school band. The Thompson's said the parade was a good example to their son of community involvement, which they encourage.
Source: http://www.goupstate.com/article/20130216/articles/130219736
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