Elegba Folklore Society

35th Down Home Family Reunion, A Celebration African American Folklife
2026-08-15 16:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | Abner Clay Park, Brook Road and West Clay Street, Richmond, 23219, United States
35th Down Home Family Reunion, A Celebration of African American Folklife – August 15, 2026 – Details Below

Down Home Family Reunion, A Celebration of African American Folklife is a downtown weekend festival that celebrates African American folklife with world music and dance, the Heritage Market, special children’s events, interactive site demonstrations and delicious down home food. It is designed to show aspects of West African cultural traditions that are African American and that have been absorbed by the American South. This is one of the Society’s original programs created in 1990.

35th Annual Down Home Family Reunion Details

2026 Merchandise Vendor Application

2026 Food Vendor Application

Talented Youth Inquiry

2026 Volunteer Application

35TH DOWN HOME FAMILY REUNION SEEKS TO PRESENT TALENTED YOUTH The festival’s Annie Tyler New School Pavilion is a popular haven for our children. Rev. Tyler loved children and worked lovingly with Elegba Folklore Society to create quality cultural experiences for them until her death. May the good she did last forever. Cultural craft making teaches lessons, games ensure fun and the stage showcases talented youth. Please contact us if you are interested in arranging a performance!

Share Your Community Service

SHARE YOUR COMMUNITY SERVICE AT 35TH DOWN HOME FAMILY REUNION If your community-based organization provides a community service you want people to know about, you may want to tell them from a table in the festival’s Waverly Crawley Community Row. Waverly Crawley was a fixture in Richmond’s Historic Jackson Ward, the festival’s location. He constantly encouraged people to get involved in the community to make it better. He wanted people to know that they could make a difference. Please contact us if you are interested in a table. May the good he did last forever.

Small Business Exhibitors

Small Business Owners! You are invited to the 35th Down Home Family Reunion! This Celebration of African American Folklife will happen on Saturday, August 15, 2026, 4p – 11p in Richmond, Virginia!

Contact Us to Join Us in the SmartMart

• Display and tell your story

• Interact with and distribute materials to festival attendees

• Be highlighted in one prize drawing from the Main Stage!

How You Benefit Fast-track the promotions of your products/services to Richmonders and visitors by distributing product samples and prize drawings. Reinforce your marketing and public relations campaigns by distributing your flyers, discount coupons, business cards, surveys and other promotional materials.

Enhance your product or service image in the Richmond business picture. Be highlighted among your peers and in the community in our covered SmartMart business tent. One table, two chairs and signage will be provided. Demonstrate your commitment to civic/social vitality. Be highlighted in one prize drawing from the Main Stage. This festival connects aspects of West African traditions with those of African Americans through the ambience of a family gathering. The festival’s location is Abner Clay Park, located downtown in Historic Jackson Ward.

World music and dance headline the Down Home Family Reunion along with site demonstrations and children’s programs. This event couples history with its contemporary significance. With an expected attendance of 13,000 the festival includes a SmartMart with you in mind. Please contact us if you are interested.

Hotel Accommodations

We are excited for your visit to Richmond to attend the 35th Down Home Family Reunion, A Celebration of African American Folklife! The Hampton Inn & Suites Richmond-Downtown offers you a comfy, cozy place for your stay at a discounted rate & with complimentary breakfast.

They’re waiting for your call: 804.643.5400. Tell them you’re coming to visit Elegba Folklore Society and attend the Down Home Family Reunion.

Satellite Parking

A free shuttle will be making regular loops to and from the park and satellite lots at George Washington Carver Elementary School, 1110 W Leigh St and Maggie Lena Walker Governor’s School, 1000 N Lombardy St. Watch for signage at each shuttle stop.

CONTACT US
