Bethune celebration set for this weekend

By JOE PERRY
Item Staff Writer
jperry@theitem.com

MAYESVILLE — The annual Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Birthday Celebration is slated to begin at 6 p.m. on Friday with a walkathon as part of this year's theme: health and fitness.

Mayor Jereleen Hollimon-Miller said Wednesday that preparations have been in full swing, and the walkathon will kick off at 6:30 p.m. at the Dr. Bethune Nature Trail, weather permitting.

"We're trying to get a good gauge on the weather," she said.

This year's theme emphasizes one of Bethune's passions — to be healthy and physically fit.

The length of the walk should be about three and a half miles, she said, which is the length of the trail and back. Vendors will also set up their booths and displays Friday evening at Mayesville Town Square, and Hollimon-Miller said vendors are coming from all over the east coast, from Florida to New York.

Bethune founded Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Fla., and advised four presidents. She also founded a hospital in 1911 because black children were not allowed at the local whites-only hospital. The hospital closed in 1931.

"She's the daughter of the town," Hollimon-Miller said of the Mayesville native. "We want to give tribute to her legacy."

On Saturday, the parade will begin lining up at 9 a.m. and will kick off an hour later. The grand marshal is Bryan Kost, a senior consultant and legislative director for the state Department of Health and Human Services. All day Saturday there will be food, games and entertainment for young and old alike at the town square.

"We want people to spend all day Saturday in Mayesville," she said. "It's going to be larger than any of the previous years. We're definitely looking for a groundswell of folks."

A free outdoor gospel concert is scheduled for 7 to 10 p.m. on Sunday at the town square and will feature Melvin Couch of Atlanta, the Rev. Frank Thompson of the Fantastic Violinaires and William Nelson of the Traveling Four.

"We want to introduce them to the young folks and inspire them," she said. "We want to give them encouragement and inspiration and let them know we care about their future."

For more information, call Hollimon-Miller at (803) 347-2643.



Learn more about Bethune:

http://tinyurl.com/mynefm