by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Now in its 14th year, “Celebration in the Park” brings together fun, food and entertainment in the name of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., for whom the celebration is honored.
The event has been held at Metropolitan Park the last five years, following many years at the Jacksonville Landing and is a fun time for patrons following the annual parade — fun for everyone except one of the key people who helps make it a reality each year.
But, the work is well worth it to Sarah Fowler of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid.
“I’ll have fun when it’s over,” said a smiling Fowler, chair of the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration committee. “There’s a lot of work that goes into it and I’m always running around during it.”
The event isn’t the only thing that occupies Fowler’s time — she’s also the director of The Public Service Project, a pro bono program of the Fourth Judicial Circuit, at JALA. The program provides attorneys with the opportunity to assist low-income people in need of legal service.
The link between JALA and the annual event is stronger than just Fowler, as the organization sponsored the event for its first 14 years, beginning in 1989. The past five have been sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Foundation.
In recent years, the event has averaged between 5,000–10,000 people, said Fowler, but the consistent thing is the message and reason behind the celebration.
“We always try to carry on the legacy of Dr. King,” said Fowler. “We don’t want people to forget the message he spoke of ... we want to keep spreading the message, especially to young people today who are too young to realize what he meant to society.”
Fowler organized the event with a “bare bones” staff and limited resources, as funding for the rental of a venue like Metro Park has become increasingly difficult to find, she said.
“We really do need the money for the event,” said Fowler. “We’ve begged, pleaded and asked for sponsors ... it’s been very tight.”
The show still went on, though, highlighted by the recognition ceremony of the 1958 Matthew W. Gilbert High School state championship football team. Until recently, the team was not recognized for its accomplishment due to segregation laws preventing interracial competition.
The team donned their lettermen’s jackets and rings for the ceremony, which was was a welcome surprise said one member of the team.
“I was surprised by it, but it’s an honor for us to be recognized on a day like today,” said Bobby Grover, a halfback on the 1958 Gilbert team. “It’s been a long time coming and I wish some of the guys who aren’t here could see it, but it’s been fun.”
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