African American Festival

“POSITIVELY DOVER”

(Directions to Legislative Mall, Festival site - Click here)

(Detailed Schedule of Festival Performers - Click here)

(Vendor instructions and registration - Click here)

History

The African American Festival “Positively Dover”, a signature event for the City of Dover and the State of Delaware, is held yearly on the Fourth Saturday in June. This traditional event is held at Legislative Mall on the Capital Complex in Downtown Dover. Outstanding and fascinating by any standards, “Positively Dover" traces it’s beginning to a conversation between The Honorable Donald Blakey, Delaware State Legislative Representative from the 34th District and Reuben Salters, Councilman 4th District, City of Dover. This event is an excellent meeting place for all ethnic groups to exchange cultural and artistic experiences and create a more diversified,tolerant and respectful attitude toward one another. The Festival offers the opportunity for visitors to explore the African and African American culture through vendor exhibits, and high level artistic entertainment in an atmosphere reflecting modern day African Outdoors Marketplaces.

Program

The non-stop entertainment, featuring national recording artists begins at 10:00 am with Percussion Workshops and youth activities, followed by the Grand Marche (grand march) around the festival area. This colorful march is led by an honorary chief, his spouse, and endless politicians, including US Senators, the Governor, and local community leaders. This event creates a reason to celebrate and enjoy the atmosphere of “Good Will”. It allows visitors from other states to shop tax free in our local stores. Second only to Dover Downs race weekends in attendance, the Festival draws in excess of 22,000 persons. The exciting merchandise and the aroma of great foods from many cultures allow one to eat experimentally until satisfied.