Community Corner
VIEWFINDER: Unity in the Community Gives Food, Fun, and Gospel Music
The seventh semi-annual Unity in the Community drew people from around the state.
Laughter, chatter and Gospel music filled the air Sunday as children and adults alike moved about the Unity in the Community festival enjoying snacks and the companionship of neighbors from far and near. Children leapt up and down on the Moon Bounce, while others amused themselves on the playground nearby.
“Back in 2005, God gave me a vision of a multi-cultural gathering of people for a festive day,” said Founder and President of Unity in the Community, Steve McAfee.
This vision came to fruition that year and has been growing ever since, he said.
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“The first person I talked to was Horace Tittle,” said McAfee.
Tittle said he helped McAfee develop the idea and became the annual master of ceremony. He also was instrumental in advertising the event.
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“Working the local Christian Radio at the time [WJSS 1330] gave me liberty to promote it,” said TittIe, who was the general manager at the time and hosted a show called Focus on the Community.
The mission of Unity in the Community is found within its name, said Tittle.
Attendees enjoyed hot dogs, sugary funnel cake and other wares from vendors to the sound of traditional and contemporary Gospel music. Later live groups took the stage, including Steve McAfee, former member of Southern Gospel group, The Canton Spirituals.
McAfee is now lead singer for 3M Connection. This group brought the rich Southern Gospel sounds to the stage with people clapping and singing along while gathered around. Other groups offered selections including local ensembles such as, Instruments of Praise, Bethel Apostolic Church, and Baltimore group: Judah First.
McAfee contacted people from all around to set up tables and sell their wares or pass out information. Although churches and businesses are usually the main vendors, churches mainly filled up the spots in Aberdeen Festival Park this year.
McAfee began a sister event in Mississippi four years ago. This year it will be held May 14, McAfee said he will be headed to Mississippi this week for that event.
“To me the biggest benefit of the community is to bring the businesses, the administration, and the churches together,” said Tittle.
This fall another Unity in the Community will be held in Edgewood.