We are excited about the preparation for the 20th Anniversary of the Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion Celebration on August 14 through 17, 2008 in Cincinnati, Ohio.  The Black Family Reunion will feature a parade in the Avondale community on Saturday August 16th, 2008, which has grown to be a fun-filled event for the entire family.  To continue our efforts in showing Cincinnati that families of all compositions can work together, we need your help.  Our theme this year is “Look How Far We’ve Come… by Faith.”

MASTER OF CEREMONY - Butch Gibson

GRAND MARSHALL – Cincinnati Fire Chief Robert Wright & his Family

Chief Robert Wright has served with the Cincinnati Fire Department for over 30 years. The Cincinnati Fire Department employs a diverse workforce of 787 uniformed employees who provide fire and emergency services to over 78 square miles. Chief Wright's goal is to position his department to begin the new millennium as it began the last one, leading the way. His number one goal is to make the most dangerous venue in your day - your home - the safest place within the community. The department has an aggressive community outreach program that continuously provides smoke detectors and carbon monoxide protectors to everyone within the community. The program is unequalled in that it also provides both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to the hearing-impaired. They are also partners in Risk Watch, Learn Not Burn, and Safe Kids programs. His aim is to prevent fire deaths, carbon monoxide deaths, and other accidental deaths in the home and away from home. He and his lovely wife, Diane, live in the Mt. Airy section of Cincinnati. They have been married for 36 years and have one son, Robert.

In order to make this event the best ever, we would like to extend an invitation to you and/or your organization to participate in this year’s parade.  Again, we will award trophies for The Best Musical Unit (other than a band), The Best Presentation by an Organization-Adult & Children.  This year, The Best Family trophy will be awarded to the family with the most members participating in the parade.  We believe your presence and participation in the Black Family Reunion Parade will prove your sincerity in assisting us to strengthen and educate families in our communities.  Please complete and mail the enclosed parade application form as soon as possible.  Time is very important so register your group early.  The deadline date is July 31, 2008.  Unfortunately space will not allow us to include everyone in the parade so mail your form TODAY!!  All selected parade participants will be notified by letter.

Parade Route:

• From Avondale Town Center, turn right onto Forest Avenue
• Turn left onto Wilson Avenue
• Turn left onto Rockdale Avenue, parade ending at Knott Street

(approx. 1.7 miles)

Reviewing Stand at the corner of Forest and Burnet Avenues

Here is a picture of the Parade Route.

(Click to enlarge)

If you have any questions please contact Gwen Armstrong (513) 252-8565 
Derek Brown (513) 284-1731.