Community enjoyable day set for Saturday | Information, Sports activities, Jobs

READY FOR EVENT — Preparations are being finalized for Saturday’s fifth-annual Family Reunion Community Fun Day occasion at North End Field. Committee members embrace, from left, entrance, Christa Ward and Nicole Hython; and again, Anthony Feaster, Erica Johnson, Val Martin, Michael Jett Sr. and C.J. Mitchell.
— Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — If you ask Steubenville resident Nicole Hython, she’s going to let you know a household is comprised of the folks inside your group — your neighbors, your folks and the folks you’ll be able to lean on when life will get laborious.

Hython’s newly fashioned household was created utterly by likelihood. Its members include seven native residents who’ve lived in the identical space, but by no means met each other till about six years in the past. Together, they fashioned a committee and developed a singular competition … an occasion they hoped would assist unite a group.

And it labored, and it continues to work with each passing yr.

Born from the historic Million Man March occasions that happened through the Nineties, got here the idea to type a Family Reunion Community Fun Day in downtown Steubenville.

The occasion will have a good time its fifth consecutive yr between midday and 9 p.m. Saturday on the North End Field, positioned on North Seventh Street.

Hython defined the Million Man March occasions have been “great times to get together and just enjoy Black culture, and then, share that with all of the cultures throughout the valley.”

Hython serves as committee chairperson for the enjoyable day, sharing the highlight with Christa Ward, Anthony Feaster, Erica Johnson, Val Martin, Michael Jett Sr. and C.J. Mitchell.

Members of the committee have varied occupations, together with a disc jockey, backgrounds in church service, podcasting and dealing for nonprofit businesses.

Most members, nevertheless, share a background as a small enterprise proprietor. That is why their objective is to “shine a light on local and distant small businesses,” by means of this competition.

“Many of us on the committee own a small business, and we know the importance of supporting each other,” Hython mentioned, including that a number of space companies have supported the competition and might be in attendance Saturday. Funding additionally has been supplied by nameless donors, who merely wish to assist see the occasion thrive.

Although its title might consult with the occasion being a household reunion, the reference doesn’t simply pertain to blood family gathering on the park. Although family are inspired to take part within the competition, the day is about a lot extra.

“We definitely mean ‘family’ as in community,” Hython commented. “But we do want to bring the tradition of family reunions to the park, with matching shirts, tons of food, plenty of laughter and memories with your favorite cousins, all while great music is playing.”

Activities being deliberate for Saturday embrace basketball video games, a wide range of distributors, video games, a bounce home and face portray. Music might be supplied by disc jockey A-Love.

A youngsters’s water social gathering might be held through the afternoon. All of the supplies wanted for a water balloon social gathering might be supplied, Hython mentioned.

Several meals vehicles might be on website, promoting an array of menu objects — greater than in earlier years — Hython added. Some of the choices will embrace fish, wings, Caribbean meals, cheesesteaks, french fries, chocolate, cookies, pies and candied fruit. “We would really appreciate it if everyone could support all of our food trucks and food vendors,” she mentioned.

“We all work extremely hard — in all capacities — to make this festival possible each year,” Hython continued. “Believe it or not, not all of us had a relationship with each other prior to coming together about six years ago. Sometimes, living in a small town doesn’t mean you already know everyone. Life is funny that way. But we now have new friends and contacts to lean on when we need each other.”

The committee begins planning for the August occasion each January, though it’s by no means too early to begin, Hython mentioned, including members attempt to make sure each visitor has an exquisite time and appears ahead to returning the next yr.

While members have been making an attempt to develop into a nonprofit group, you will need to word that each cent that has gone into the competition for the previous 5 years, has come from the members of this group.

“We put the donations right back into the festival for the people to enjoy,” Hython mentioned.

Contributions might be made any time through the yr and might be performed both electronically through the use of PayPal or Cash App or with money or a verify.

Contact any competition committee member to make preparations to have the donation picked up, or, for data, contact Hython at (740) 461-8364 or by e-mail at aahfsteubenville@gmail.com.

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