SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – 1000’s anticipated the grand return of the three day Stone Soul Competition at Springfield’s Blunt Park, and the neighborhood got here from throughout to participate on this neighborhood occasion.
Some say this pageant is the ultimate hurrah of the summer season! Many excited to rejoice after a two yr hiatus because of the pandemic. It’s a simple day of consuming, greeting and assembly new and outdated household and mates.
Christopher Scott, the coordinator of the occasion, advised 22News, “After COVID, that is going to be an enormous occasion as a result of individuals haven’t been out in a few years, so we actually are anticipating a fantastic end up.”
The Stone Soul Competition started in 1989 as a neighborhood reunion picnic aimed toward gathering collectively the Mason Sq. Group. Since then it has develop into New England’s largest African-American pageant that celebrates and encompasses Springfield’s vibrant neighborhood.
“It’s good to get again out once more as a result of, you realize, for 2 years we have been just about shut down, we weren’t doing such a exercise,” mentioned Wayman Lee, president of CREW, an area non-profit. “So now we’re out doing it and we might help extra individuals locally by doing what we’re doing now.”
The pageant supplies household oriented actions, native leisure, meals, and performances which are culturally enriching.
Drew Keatonel, secretary of CREW mentioned, “The make-up of Springfield with black and brown people, when you have a look at Springfield, is nearly 60, 70%. It’s essential for us to precise ourselves, and we are able to do it by means of cultural occasions. It’s an expression of the neighborhood inside itself.”
The Stone Soul Competition reunites the neighborhood with former Springfield residents who return on Labor Day weekend to resume acquaintances and relationships at Blunt Park decade after decade.
“Each a part of the occasion is to see folks that I haven’t seen from across the nation in years.” Scott mentioned. “We can have an opportunity to satisfy and greet individuals we haven’t seen in a very long time, to fix some outdated wounds, and to heal.”
This three day pageant continues into the weekend with extra meals distributors, native artists, even a gospel live performance on the picnic on Sunday!
