Spady Living Heritage Day Returns to Historic NW Fifth Avenue on August 22, 2009 August 22, 2009

Delray Beach, FL –The ways of southern life come back to Delray Beach at the Spady Living Heritage Day on August 22, 2009.

After the success of last year’s festival, held on historic NW Fifth Avenue, this year’s fall festival will welcome back several popular entertainers, cooks and storytellers. The Spady Museum, located at 170 NW 5th Avenue, will be in the center of the action.

The event is from noon to 10 p.m.; admission is free.

Sponsored by the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties and Palm Beach County Cultural Council, the event will feature the storytelling of Butch “the Florida Cracker” Harrison; the Tradition Bearers of Renaissance Park of Marianna, FL; expanded children’s area; live musical entertainment; and a vintage farm exhibition.

Last year, an estimated 4,000 visitors sampled a selection of Southern foods – from collard greens to fried cornbread and cracklin’ – and enjoyed a variety of performances including blues, gospel and R&B music, and a step show, all of which will return in 2008. New for this year, festival-goers can enjoy the entertainment from two stages, instead of one.

Headlining the entertainment is the Strictly Business Band that will perform two R&B sets, one featuring vocalist Felicia Flint. Additional acts include the Bahamas 2 Miami Junkanoo Revue, DYMiN, Gospel Angels, and the Jr. Drinkwater Blues Band.

The Tradition Bearers of Renaissance Park will demonstrate making lye soap, broom making and other crafts that have passed down through the generations. Exhibitors will also discuss syrup processing, turn-of-the-century hand tools and life on the farm. Activities for children will include pony rides; face painting; a bounce house; a petting zoo; and traditional games, such as horseshoes, sack race, tug-o-war and 3-legged race.

The 2009 Spady Living Heritage Day Festival is also being sponsored in part by Tom Hinners and Auburn Group.

Established in 2001, the Spady Museum is housed in a two-story residence originally built in 1926 and home to the late Solomon D. Spady, a prominent local educator and community leader from 1922 to 1957. Utilizing exhibits and artwork, the museum has served as a source of information for people wanting to know more about the city's early black history and culture.

For more information about the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, visit the museum on Historic Northwest Fifth Avenue in downtown Delray Beach, one-and-a-half blocks north of Atlantic Avenue, call the museum at 561-279-8883 or visit www.spadymuseum.org.

Official Website: http://www.spadymuseum.com