Organizers of this year’s African American Cultural Fair & Parade hope an earlier start helps avoid bad weather that hampered last year’s event.

“Last year it rained almost four of the five days of the event and it put a damper on our sponsorships,” said Derek Smith, president of event organizer African American Cultural Alliance. “The 2023 live concerts and poetry slam competition had to be moved to different indoor locations due to inclement weather, and carnival rides could not go on as planned.”

The 11th annual free event is being held May 21 to 25 at Reservoir Park at 832 E. Orange St. in Lancaster city and will feature carnival rides, food vendors, games, prizes and entertainment. It usually is held in September.

While the fair is free, there is a charge for carnival rides and food. Ride tickets are $3.50 to $6 each, or people can purchase a wristband for $30 that is good for unlimited rides on May 21 and 22. Tickets will be available to purchase with cash or debit/credit cards onsite during the event.

The fair will wrap up with a 3 p.m. parade on May 25 that will kick off from Martin Luther King Elementary School, 466 Rockland St., in Lancaster city. It will showcase 25 performers including the Infamous Unstoppables Drill Team and Drum Squad, dance teams, marching units, and other groups from the region and as far as Connecticut.

Parade grand marshals are Lancaster Mennonite School Superintendent Michael Badriaki, School District of Lancaster Director of Schools Camille Hopkins, SDL school board President Robin Goodson, Millersville University President Daniel A. Wubah and York City School District Superintendent Andrea Berry.

“We want to add local flavor and make sure our community is represented in our own hometown event,” Smith said. “We want to create a vibrant and inclusive community so anyone can participate, and we want everyone to become a part of this celebration.”

A three-on-three basketball tournament introduced last year that aimed to foster teamwork, friendly competition and the celebration of athleticism will not be returning this year due to lack of sponsorships.

“We did not receive as many monetary sponsorships to prepare for this year as we did last year so we’re forced to reduce the magnitude of the event. We had to determine what areas we needed to make cuts to ensure we still had an event at all this year,” Smith said.

The fair and parade are not a fundraiser event for African American Cultural Alliance. The total cost to produce the fair and parade is an estimated $50,000 to $60,000, according to Smith, who said sponsorships cover about 90% of the total cost.

“We’re the last remaining parade in the city and the only African American parade in central Pennsylvania,” Smith said. “We are still trying to get more sponsors, so everyone’s support is essential to make this event a success.”