Hide Article Text (OCR)
ramily Day May Draw 1,000By LYNN PRICEStar Staff WriterFamily Day organizers expect 800 to 1,000 people at Sunday’s annualevent in Winchester’s Frederick Douglass Park.“It’s a time when a lot of people can come back and see everyone in the community,” said Donald Finley, a Family Day organizer.Festivities will be from noon to 9:30 p.m. The public is invited.The first Family Day was held in 1972 by Young Blacks for Progress, a group of activists who wanted to have an event that disadvantaged children and adults could attend, said Clara Brisco, a former member of the group.“There was free food for the kids, pony rides, and some music,” Mrs.A strike by the Communication Workers of America, whose contract expires at midnight Saturday, initially would have little effect on area residents’ telephone service, but an extended strike could hurt, Bill White, local CP Telephone Co. manager, said today.Directory assistance may take a lit-Brisco said. “But not nearly as much as there is now.”Since that first day, the community has tried to hold something the first Sunday of each August, Finley said.Young Blacks for Progress disbanded and many of the organizers moved away, Mrs. Brisco said. Family Day was still held each year, but interest waned during the 1970s. In 1980 Eric Roberts, Donald Finley, and Paul Washington decided to revive the event that had pleasant childhood memories for them.They’ve been successful beyond their wildest dreams. Last year nearly 1,000 people came from Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and theDistrict of Columbia.“It’s a good thing for the communi-tle longer, depending on the number of people the company has to assist, White said.White said contract negotiations are under way, and it’s difficult to tell whether there will be a strike until the Saturday night deadline is closer.In Virginia, there are 8,344 nonmanagement employees who may goon strike.ty, people appreciate it,” Roberts said. “They’re happy to donate for Family Day.” He said a block party fund-raiser was held July 30 on Givens Street.Roberts said the tradition of free food for kids will continue this year, but most people will bring picnic lunches. There will be pony rides, games, bingo, and money in a haystack. “You’ve heard of a needle in the haystack? We put quarters in haystacks and let the kids search for them,” Roberts said.Musical entertainment will include a live band,“Penetration,” disc jockey Seventh Heaven, and two Gospel groups, the Middleburg Gospel Harmonizers and the United Gospel Singers. An unususal dance group from Washington, D.C., “The G.Q. Poppers,” will be “popping,” an advanced robot-style street dance.Former Washington Redskins wide receiver Roy Jefferson will be on hand to sign autographs. Jefferson led the National Football League in catches in 1968 and 1969. He was named NFL All-Pro Player in 1969 and played in the Pro-Bowl in 1968, 1969, and 1971. As a field representative for the National Football League Players Association, he advises players during their contract negotiationsCP: Short Strike Wouldn't Hurt
Newspaper Details
Winchester Star
Winchester, Virginia, US
Fri, Aug 05, 1983
Page 19
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 24 Apr 2019
Other Publications Near Winchester, Virginia
The Winchester Times
The Star
The Evening Star
Winchester Gazette
Winchester Evening Star
