The 32nd Annual Down Home Family Reunion will bring music, dance, stories, food, shopping and enrichment to Jackson Ward’s Abner Clay Park on Saturday, Aug. 19. Presented by the Elegba Folklore Society, this year’s cultural arts festival highlights “A Celebration of African American Folklife.”

The festival, which was named last year’s Tourism Event of the Year by Richmond Region Tourism, connects West African and African-American cultural traditions and highlights the influence they have had on the American South. Locating the event within Historic Jackson Ward serves to highlight the neighborhood’s rich Black heritage alongside its future potential, according to the Elegba Folklore Society.

World music and dance will be featured on the Zeke Allison Main Stage. Listeners can groove along with Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe as well as reggae originals and classics from Tunji Band. Vocalist Angelica Baylor will bring her neo-soul vibe, Richmond legend Lady E will sing the blues and the Elegba Folklore Society’s performance company will deliver an interactive program of African dance, music and oral tradition.

Closing out this year’s event will be, Be’la Dona, an all-female band out of Washington D.C. that mixes “sensual crank” with rock, R&B, gospel, pop, jazz and D.C.’s go-go.

Children and teens can create in the Annie Tyler Children’s Place and design a craft in recognition of the family reunion’s theme, “Bringing the World Home.”

Then there’s the food, an event centerpiece with Southern style chicken, fried fish, down home vegetables, frozen fruits and mouth- watering desserts that are African-inspired and Southern favorites.

This free family festival will take place between 4 and 11 p.m. and those planning to attend can visit www.efsinc.org for parking and shuttle schedules.