VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – The Virginia African American Cultural Center Annual Community Fall Festival is just days away. The event promises to bring African American history to life through art, performances, poetry and storytelling.

The free event will take place on Oct. 5 from noon to 5 p.m. at 744 Hampshire Lane.

“We’re going to have someone who will do a mime father daughter duo,” said VAACC founder, Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond. “We’re going to have a vision with a purpose praise dancers because churches are always important in the African-American history. We’re going to have Shark City Drummers, African Drummers.”

Ross-Hammond could talk for hours about the entertainment at this weekend’s festival on the future site of the Cultural Center, but she is also very excited about a big presentation.

“That is the ribbon cutting for the newly renovated basketball court.”

She says Something in the Water teamed up with the NBA to refurbish the basketball courts on the Cultural Center site at 744 Hampshire Lane. When WAVY 10 was there on a rainy day, the courts were complete, but the backboards, hoops and benches still needed to be installed. Ross-Hammond said that will all be done in time for the ribbon cutting.

Ross-Hammond says the African American Cultural Center Annual Community Fall Festival is a time to come together to learn and celebrate what makes our area great.

“Your history is my history is our story.”

For more information on the event, click here.