VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The Virginia African American Cultural Center (VAACC) will host its 5th annual Community Fall Festival Saturday to celebrate African American culture in Virginia Beach.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the center’s refurbished basketball court will also be held during this year’s festival. The new court features a new surface and an abstract backboard mural painted by renowned Muralist Hamilton Glass.
VAACC partnered with the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Something in the Water to refurbish the court, which is located in a historically African American neighborhood.
Elected officials and celebrity athletes such as three-time Olympic Gold Medalist LaShawn Merritt, sprinter, Ronnie McAdoo, retired NBA Atlanta Hawks and other special guests will be on hand to give out 50 basketballs donated by the NBA.
“As we work to raise the funds to build the Center on the land which has been deeded to us, we
continue to produce programmatic events celebrating historic milestones and informing the
public about the multiple contributions of African Americans in Virginia, said Amelia Ross-Hammond, Ph.D., VAACC’s founder and chairman. “There will be a lot to see, and do, so it’s worth your time to come out and enjoy the festival!”
The festival takes place from noon to 5 p.m. at 744 Hampshire Lane, the future home Virginia African American Cultural Center.