Fifth annual Gullah Geechee Festival takes place in Richmond Hill

By Justin Hall, freelance correspondent

Hosted by the David Boles Foundation, the fifth annual Richmond Hill Gullah Geechee Festival took place this Saturday at J.F. Gregory Park. 

The Gullah Geechee Festival aims to bring awareness to the culture of descendants of slaves who live in the Gullah Geechee corridor, a region which stretches from Wilmington, North Carolina to Saint Augustine, Florida.

Saturday’s event provided a series of vendors to showcase their businesses and provide Geechee cuisine. Other vendors such as those in arts and crafts displayed their works connected to the event and even live singing was provided in the form of the Savannah State Choir singing Negro spirituals. 

Dr. Karen Boles is a strong supporter of the event. She hoped that people came away enjoying themselves as well as appreciating the Geechee culture.

“We have to know where we came from to know where we’re going,” Dr. Boles said. 

One of the vendors there was the American Legion, JE Lanier Post 27. Commander Sally Rejas was there to represent the organization as they are celebrating 27 years in Richmond Hill and are currently fundraising for a new building in development. She considered this event a great privilege to be a part of.

“The history and culture here in Richmond Hill is amazing,” Commander Rejas said. 

The vendors on hand at the Gullah Festival included the following:

• The American Legion, JE Lanier Post 27

• The Savannah State Choir 

• The Kwanzaa 365 Connection 

• The Hutchinson Heritage Foundation 

• Treasures From West Africa 

• JRH Events

• Men in Action 

• The Lillies

• Sprouting Teas 

• Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church 

• Lilly’s Catering 

• Daniel Siding BBQ

• Fresh Off the Dock

• Bessie Mae’s

• Okan

• Await to Create 

• Sugar Baby Cupcakess

• Napoleon Wilkerson 

• Geechee Vendors 

• Honeybee 

• Geechee Gyal Sweetgrass Baskets

• The Horne Law Firm

• Richmond Hill Historical Society