Come say hello this weekend at the I Have a Dream Festival!

Come say hi to CHPN at the Festival – between 12-2pm. The weather will be warm and dry and the Festival will be meaningful and fun as we commemorate and celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. and intersect Richmonders with the Middle School and Pre-School named for him.

I Have a Dream Parade

At 2pm Festival attendees will be asked to join Grand Marshal Mayor Levar Stoney for the I Have A Dream Parade, the Festival’s signature component. This is a participatory parade and everyone in attendance is invited to join in.

The parade route is a little more than 1/2 mile and is fully accessible. Along with Parade Inspiration provided by the No BS Brass Band, the award-winning MLK Middle School Cheerleaders and the Armstrong High School Drumline, we are expecting the following community leaders to join Mayor Stoney:

> RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras
> Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham
> Richmond Fire Chief Melvin Carter
> Richmond Sheriff Antionette Irving
> Richmond Councilwoman Ellen Robertson
> Virginia Senator Rosalyn Dance
> Virginia Delegate Jeff Bourne
> Nutzy and Parney from the Richmond Flying Squirrels
> Student Athletes and Rodney the Ram from VCU
> East End Grocery Store Operator Norm Gold

Prizes for those who attend!

Everyone who signs in at the Festival will be eligible for a random prize drawing which takes place after the Festival so folks do not have to be present to win. We are still gathering prizes and can confirm the following prizes:

• Five (5) winners of 2018 Attractions Guest Passes from Richmond Region Tourism, offering free admission for two people in 2018 to more than 50 Richmond region museums and cultural attractions – a $500+ value if fully used
• One (1) winner for two Prix Fixe dinners at Church Hill’s Dutch and Company, the 2018 Elby’s Restaurant of the Year
• Two (2) winners of The Alamo Dinner for 4 from Union Hill’s Alamo BBQ
• Six (6) winners of a $10.00 gift certificate to Church Hill’s Proper Pie
• (1) Pie from WPA Bakery in Church Hill
• (1) $20.00 Gift Card from Union Hill’s Union Market

And various other prizes.

Looking to volunteer? If you can offer 2 hours, either from 11am to 1pm, or 1pm to 3pm, then great! Jobs include signing in attendees, art activity supervisors, and Festival Ambassadors. Folks interested in volunteering can contact Rick Tatnall – Festival Organizer at (804) 325-3674 – land line (no texts)

If you can’t volunteer, perhaps you can help by donating to cover the costs of the Festival, which include the No BS Brass Band and free food for attendees. Folks interested in helping out are requested to make contributions to the Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation. Here is a link to the donation page for the RPS Education Foundation – donors are asked “If you have a special purpose for your donation, please let us know” > Festival donors are asked to choose “Other” and type in the box “MLK – I Have A Dream”