Umoja Festival Portsmouth, Virginia Celebrates 20 Years

African-American Culture and Heritage Festival, Free* and Open to the Public, Promotes Cultural Diversity and Unity

Umoja Festival links attendees from across the nation and the citizenry of Portsmouth to the Festival's theme of unity in the family, community, and nation. Umoja Festival is a superb example of Portsmouth's dedication and commitment to insuring an understanding of cultural diversity. The festival is free and open to the public except for the Saturday evening concert featuring National performers, Angie Stone and Eric Benet on the nTelos Wireless Pavilion stage.

Umoja Festival officially begins at 5:15 p.m. Friday, September 17 at the nTelos Pavilion with a traditional African drum call, a ceremonial procession led by Portsmouth dignitaries and civic leaders and the blessing of the elders. The festival continues in downtown Portsmouth and at the nTelos Wireless Pavilion through Saturday and Sunday. Throughout the festival weekend, Portsmouth will resemble its sister city of Eldoret, Kenya. Local and regional entertainment includes Step/Drill teams, TFC Band, and RAJAZZ on Friday evening. Joe Tan & Evolution Music Group, Phase II, Against All Odds, and the Good Life Band starting at noon on Saturday. And Sunday’s Gospel line-up includes Grove Baptist Church, Brenda Livermon, Earl Bynum and Mt. Lebanon Baptist, the NSU Gospel Choir and Eric Taylor.

The festival will also host the 4th Annual Victory Walk sponsored by the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation at 9 a.m. Saturday. With more than 25,000 people expected to attend over three days, Umoja Festival is one of the largest events in Virginia celebrating African American heritage.

Visit the Umoja Festival Portsmouth website for the latest details and event updates –http://www.UmojaFestPortsmouth.com

About Portsmouth, Virginia: A vibrant seaport city in southeastern Virginia, the City of Portsmouth http://www.VisitPortsVa.com is centrally located within the region referred to as Hampton Roads. Portsmouth is the only city with a true walk-able downtown including three centuries of historic neighborhoods, delightful restaurants and shops, museums and breathtaking waterfront views.