Bridge Crossing Jubilee: List of events
A long list of events are scheduled for the annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee in Selma, which commemorates the voting rights marches of 1965.
This is the 61th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, March 7, 1965, when marchers were beaten and severely injured just across the Edmund Pettus Bridge as they tried to walk from Selma to Montgomery in support of voting rights. Later that month, marchers made a successful march and their efforts helped lead to the passage of the Voting Rights Act.
Tens of thousands of people gather in Selma during the first week of March each year for several days’ worth of events.
FILE – In this March 4, 2012, file photo, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., center, talks with those gathered on the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge during the reenactment of the “Bloody Sunday” Selma to Montgomery civil rights march across the bridge in Selma, Ala. (AP Photo/Kevin Glackmeyer, File)
Jubilee has brought Presidents to Selma, as well as presidential candidates and other nationally-known figures. This year’s lineup includes Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. The event will also remember the life and work of Rev. Jesse Jackson, who died earlier this year and who was a frequent visitor to the Bridge Crossing Jubilee over the years.
Here are some of this year’s spotlighted events:
Thursday, March 5
9AM-11AM
Voting Rights History Bowl: Middle & high school competition on voting rights history. Top Prize: $1,000.
R.B. Hudson Middle School, 1701 Summerfield Road
(334) 526-2626 for more information.
7PM
Mass Meeting Program: Tabernacle Baptist Church, 1431 Broad Street.
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Everett Kelly, President of the American Federation of Government Employees and Pastor Emeritus of St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Lincoln
Friday, March 6
8AM-1:30PM
17th Annual John A. Lovett Golf Tournament, Ocmulgee Golf Course in Valley Grande
Sponsored by the Selma Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Register here
11AM
Children’s Sojourn: “The Children’s Silence Remembrance March”
Youth of all ages will cross the bridge on the sidewalk, two by two, stopping to pray and drop flowers into the river. That will be followed by the Invisible Giants play, performance and awards at Selma High School.
For more information, contact Sister Yomi at (334) 526-4340
5PM
Ms. & Mr. Jubilee Scholarship Pageant
Wallace Community College, 3000 Earl Godwin Parkway
Contact Kay R. Robinson (843) 816-6283
Saturday, March 7
9:30AM-10:30AM
Jubilee Parade
Begins on Washington Street and ends at the National Voting Rights Museum
11AM-6PM
Music Festival (Free Admission): Featuring Dottie Peoples, VOTE (Voices of Triumph Emerging), and the Angelic Harmonizers
Stages located on Water Avenue
1:30PM-4PM
Selma Intergenerational Hip Hop Political Summit (Free Admission with Registration): Featuring RSB Woo, John Boy, Pastor Troy, Mykko Montata, DJ Smooth, Homebwoi, DJ Oscar and Mr. Smoke
Water Avenue stage
Admission is free with registration: Click here to register
7PM-10PM
Freedom Flame Awards Gala
Selma Convention Center, 211 Washington Street
$100 per ticket or $1,200 per table
Get tickets here
Sunday, March 8
*DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS – MOVE CLOCKS FORWARD ONE HOUR*
7:30AM-9:30AM
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. & Coretta Scott King Unity Breakfast
Craig Field Airport, Hangar 251, Avenue J
Tickets: $75
Register here
11:30AM-12PM
Pre-march Rally
Brown Chapel AME Church, 410 Martin Luther King Street
12PM-12:30PM
March to the Bridge
Starts at Brown Chapel AME Church and ends at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge
12:30PM-1:30PM
Speak Out
The foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Water Avenue
1PM-1:30PM
The March Backwards
The foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Water Avenue
1:30PM-2:30PM
Bridge Crossing March and Prayer of Remembrance and Gratitude
March across the bridge to the actual site of the Bloody Sunday attack
4PM-6PM
Inspirational Tribute to the Foot Soldiers, Featuring Asher Havon, and VOTE (Voices of Triumph Emerging)
Suggested $10 donation for ages 12 and older
Selma Jubilee Street Festival, Water Avenue Stage
In case of rain, festival events will be moved to the former Concordia College Campus – schedule subject to change
Call (334) 526-2626 for more information
SEE COMPLETE LIST OF BRIDGE CROSSING JUBILEE EVENTS
LIST OF SPEAKERS AT BRIDGE CROSSING JUBILEE
