VAACC Hosts Annual Community Fall Festival On Future Home Site

VIRGINIA BEACH

The Virginia African-American Cultural Center will host its 6th annual Community Fall Festival on Oct. 11, 2025, at 744 Hampshire Lane, at Lake Edward Park, Virginia Beach, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The free event is produced annually to celebrate African-American culture.

Two renowned African-Americans, Minister Dr. Patricia Turner, civil rights pioneer, and one of the famous “Norfolk 17” who desegregated the Norfolk Public Schools system, and arts extraordinaire Ed Joyner, an international talent agent and promoter for the fine and performing arts for over 65 years, will be honored and recognized for their accomplishments in education and the arts by the VAACC Board of Directors.

The festival will be held on the corner of Newtown Road and Hampshire Lane, near the refurbished basketball courts (thanks to the NBA and SITW (Something in the Water) last year) at Lake Edward Park, the future home of the Virginia African-American Cultural Center.

Ed Joyner

Families can expect several fun-filled activities, including stage performances featuring M.C. Fred McKinnon, comedian; Forte Jazz Band; Dee Polite and the Phenomenal Sounds band; D.J. Suave; Teens with a Purpose; Shock City Drum Line; TACA African Dancer and Drummer;, and Sentara and Bon Secours Health Systems’ Health and Wellness Forum about staying healthy at any age. The VAACC will also celebrate the 2025 award of $1 million from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Dr. Patricia Turner

Visitors can also take “a step back in time” by visiting the “Where History Lives African-American History” tent coordinated by author and historian Edna Hawkins Hendrix. Additionally, there will be a bounce house, arts and crafts, vendors, organized children’s activities at “Miss Mary’s Corner,” line dancing with Dr. Faye, and food vendors.

Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond, the VAACC’s founder and chairman, said, ”As we work to raise the funds to build the Center on the land which has been deeded to us, we continue to produce programmatic events celebrating historic milestones and informing the public about the multiple contributions of African-Americans in Virginia. This is our gift to the community. There will be a lot to see and do, so it’s worth your time to come out and enjoy the festival!”