#summerofsoulseattle

#summerofsoulseattle

UMOJA FEST

UMOJA FEST

WHEN: AUGUST 3-4

WHERE: Judkins Park

Visit www.umojafestnw.com for more information.

The capstone of Summer of Soul, for over six decades, the Umoja Fest African Heritage Festival & Parade has been a beloved tradition in Seattle. Originally part of the International Festival, it has been known over the years as the East Madison Mardi Gras and the Pacific Northwest Black Community Festival. Today, Umoja Fest is a celebration of Seattle's African American community and its rich cultural heritage.

The festival and parade aim to highlight the history and countless contributions of Blacks both locally and globally.  It is a three-day event that gives people from all over Washington and the Northwest an opportunity to experience the rich African heritage and culture of the region.

"Umoja," which means "unity" in Swahili, is the main theme of the festival. It is an artistic and cultural extravaganza that uniquely touches the spirit of the community. The Umoja Fest has historically been the most unifying celebration in the community, bringing people of all ethnic backgrounds together for a celebration of culture, education, social festivities, and networking.

The festival is coordinated by volunteers and includes a variety of musical entertainment, children’s’ group performances, dance, oration, national recording artists, food, marketplace, and plenty of fun. Some of the event highlights include:

  • African Heritage Parade

  • Children’s Village

  • African Drum & Dance

  • Jazz, Soul, Reggae Entertainment

  • Spoken Word & Poetry

  • Vendor Marketplace & Community Resource Fair

  • And more!

Umoja Fest has been credited as the inspiration behind SEAFAIR, which emerged during the early 1950s, and it continues to be held during SEAFAIR's annual activities.

By celebrating the community's history and culture, Umoja Fest honors Seattle’s Black community’s rich and historic heritage. The festival and parade celebrate our collective ability to make ourselves, our families, community, city, state, nation, and world a better place for our future generations. Come join us for a weekend of celebration, education, and unity.

Find out more at www.umojafestnw.com.