MINORVILLE: Jubilee tradition continues Saturday for historic neighborhood
Published 1:22 pm Thursday, July 25, 2024
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NATCHEZ — The historic neighborhood along Minor Street and surrounding area, once home to the Concord estate, join once again for a jubilee celebration this Saturday — the 34th annual Minorville Jubilee.
For the residents of Minorville and the rest of Natchez, the Jubilee celebration is a time for community to come together and have fun while sharing an education about the past and pursuing a better future united as one.
Minorville was carved out of the suburban estate called Concord in the mid to late 19th century owned by the Minor family.
After a fire in 1901, all that remains of the main estate house built around 1790 near the old Titan Tire plant is the servant’s quarters. But before 1860 the Minors began selling parcels on the edges of the estate that would form Shadyside, Woodlawn and Minorville neighborhood, solidifying Minor Street and its surrounding area as a residential center for the African American community, said jubilee organizer and Alderwoman of Ward 4 Felicia Bridgewater-Irving.
The celebration starts at 9:30 am. Saturday with a “Freedom March” beginning at the corner of Minor Street at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street. Immediately following is from 10 a.m. to 11:30 is an hour of gospel music from the Amos Polk singers at Macedonia Baptist Church, 33 Minor St.
Other community activities last all day from noon to 7 p.m. at 50 Minor St., featuring guest speakers and elected leaders, a voter registration drive, Mississippi Action For Progress Inc. head start registration, face painting, snow cones, barbeque, a free school supplies giveaway, a cake walk, a space jump and inflatable bull ride and more.
There will also be a performance from the Emerald Elite dance troop. Those who want to stay long should bring their own lawn chairs for seating.
Minorville Jubilee Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit aiming to improve the quality of life for residents of Minorville and surrounding neighborhoods, especially elderly residents, and offer educational outreach to all school age children and young adults.
Organizers encourage donations at this event to drive this mission forward.