The 145th Nicodemus Homecoming Emancipation Celebration July 27-30

The 145th Nicodemus Homecoming Emancipation Celebration plans are coming together nicely, and the dedicated Homecoming Committee members, who are hard at work, promise a little something for everyone.

On Thursday, July 27th, you can learn about “specialty crops” from the Kansas Black Farmers Association. Guest speakers for the event will be Dr. Gail Meyers, Oakland,Calif., and Dr.

Martha Mamo, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Agronomy Department Chair. You may register for free at www.kbfa.org.

KBFA will conduct their quarterly meeting from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., with the Nicodemus Homecoming Emancipation Celebration Committee, LLC and the Nicodemus Historical Society both hosting their annual meetings later that afternoon.

Start off Friday morn-stockton ing, July 28th, with a good old “cowboy breakfast,” followed by an afternoon full of music, games, kids activities and genealogy.

Spinning the music is Hill City’s, Troy Chapman, aka “D.J. Storytella.” If you’re a Nicodemus descendant, learn about your history from the ‘Live Family Tree.” A Corn Hole Tournament will be held in the evening.

Another Hill City native, Frankie “Cooper” Bates, is returning back home from his current residence in California, and folks won’t want to miss his award-winning, oneman show performance of “Black When I Was A Boy.” The event starts at 6:00 p.m. at the Hill City High School auditorium.

Get your tickets and come support Cooper in this powerful coming-of-age story. All proceeds will be given back to the community.

Then, go on back to Nicodemus for the afterparty as D.J. Storytella will be spinning sounds, and live music will be playing.

There will also be karaoke if you’re so inclined to sing.

On Saturday, July 29th, begin your day with a little physical activity, followed by another good breakfast. Join the 5K Run/Walk Fundraiser with all proceeds going to help Will Clark participate in the European Band Trip. Register at www.kbfa.org. Afterwards eat a hearty breakfast at the 12th annual “Free Pancake Feed,” which is being sponsored by KBFA.

The Nicodemus Homecoming Parade will start at 11:00 a.m., and is expected to draw another large crowd. The Parade is an event you don’t want to miss!

Saturday afternoon is full of fun, with so much going on you may have to pick and choose what you want to do. There will be games, kids activities, fashion show, watermelon feed and even a tent where a master American straw and wheat artist will do live hands-on demonstrations.

From 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. in the Kids Corner, the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center will once again set up their amazing traveling kids activities and games.

Of course, the Smithsonian Exhibit, “Voices and Votes: Democracy In America” is still on display at the Visitor’s Center, along with the companion exhibit “Nicodemus Politicians.” There will be history programs and presentations hosted by the Nicodemus Historical Society and the National Park Service. Robert J. Dole Institute’s Julie Clover will be the guest speaker, talking about the designation of Nicodemus becoming a National Historic Site. Also on Saturday, Bert Brogden will show his award-winning documentary “Robert & Billie,” A Nicodemus Love Story, with the anticipated showing of the introduction of the new documentary, “Ellis Trail To Nicodemus,” which is in the making.

The Gospel Extravaganza in Nicodemus will feature Rev. Venson Quarels Sr. and his family, who are coming all the way from California. He is the grandson of Rev. Daniel Hickman.

On the big stage, enjoy the party with Fernando Harkless, the Live Music headliner from Los Angeles. Harkless plays Soul, R&B, Pop and is a Smooth-Jazz Instrumentalist. D.J. Storytella will also be on hand to keep the afterparty groove going.

Church service will be held on Sunday, July 30th, at the First Baptist Church, followed by lunch under the big tent.

D.J. Storytella will, again, be in the park spinning those sounds.

For more information and details check out the website at www.nicodemushomecoming. org.

Also, like and follow them on Facebook, Nicodemus Homecoming Emancipation Celebration. See you there!