NEW ORLEANS--The sound of Frankie Beverly & Maze's "Before I Let Go" could be heard from Canal Street as Essence Fest 2013 got under way Thursday at Woldenberg Park during the 19th annual event's first-ever Family Reunion Day on the riverfront.
General Manager of Essence Communications Joy Collins said the magazine's readers and families love to come together on the Fourth of July holiday, so adding a fourth day to the festival was a natural fit.
"We took over Woldenberg Park, the Convention Center and much of the French Quarter to have our very first all-out experience with Family Reunion Day," Collins said.
The inaugural reunion event was scheduled to culminate with a fireworks show on the riverfront. But even before the fireworks lit up the night, the festivities at the park offered lots of fun freebies for kids. New Orleans resident Monchel Parker-Johnson watched with her sister as her daughters colored at one of the art booths.
"They have a lot of things here for the kids to do," Parker-Johnson said. "I'm glad they did it. Normally it's about the adults, but now they've included the children."
More than 4,000 families signed up with Essence to be a part of the kickoff festivities. Festival-goers got to enjoy music from legendary hip-hop artist Biz Markie, Doug E. Fresh and many more artists. They also got to participate in a grilling competition and share recipes with celebrity chef G. Garvin.
"All day we've set up free activities, music, fun and it's all free and open to the public," Collins said.
The Essence Festival experience didn't stop at fun in the park Thursday. They also had a family empowerment seminar at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The speaker panels included Roland Martin, Traci and Trina Braxton, as well as New Orleanian and hip-hop mogul Master P.
He talked about the importance of family and education along with daughter Cymophonique Miller and son Romeo Miller.
"When people think of hip-hop as being ignorant, we're changing that," Percy Miller said. "My son and my daughter, they're going to college; we're preparing them for careers and to help them take their lives to the next level."
"We took over Woldenberg Park, the Convention Center and much of the French Quarter to have our very first all-out experience with Family Reunion Day," said Collins. Romeo Miller, who attends the University of Southern California, says that although he had a lot of success in music at an early age, his father always put school first.
"People may not have ever known, but I always went to regular school," Romeo Miller said. "I had to get As and Bs while I was making music and movies and going on tour."
Cymphonique Miller, who stars in the Nickelodeon sitcom "How To Rock," also says her dad's guidance helps keep her humble.
"I'm so thankful to have my family and to be able to work in the music business with them," she said. "They're always there to give me good advice and guidance."
Essence Festival weekend at the Convention Center will continue Friday with the "Body, Spirit and Love" seminar featuring comedian/TV personality Steve Harvey.
Posted By: Siebra Muhammad
Friday, July 5th 2013 at 11:59AM
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