FLINT, Michigan—A new Flint gospel festival will feature the best of the local gospel scene uniting churches and friends in honor of Civic Park neighborhood’s centennial celebration and in honor of the late William Alexander, a longtime community activist. 

The Civic Park Centennial Gospel Celebration will run 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Heritage and Harmony Festival Stage on Dayton Avenue. It is free and open to the public. 

Related Story: Remembering William Alexander: A guiding force for Civic Park, Flint youth, and his family

Group and solo acts set to perform include the Magnificent Voices Choir, Insight, Gospel Group, Terence Grundy and Friends, Joy Tabernacle choir, 2+2, and Johnie Person. Ten performances are confirmed with others still joining the lineup, organizers said. 

The event will also include a resource fair featuring Flint Registry, Double Up Food Bucks, Oak Street Health, Census 2020, Hamilton Community Health Network, Greater Flint Health Coalition, and Commit to Fit. Other vendors and community organizations are welcome to participate at no cost by bringing their own tables, chairs, and/or tents. 

The gospel festival festival is being organized by the Civic Park Neighborhood Association, which Alexander helped re-found in 2014.

“He was delegated to Civic Park to make it a better place,” said Joe King, president of Civic Park Neighborhood Association. “This was his life.”  Alexander was known  to hold a deep appreciation for jazz, blues, and gospel. A gospel concert was one of Alexander’s ongoing community projects before he died May 11, 2019.

The gospel festival is being held in partnership with the Civic Park Business and Historic District Association. Registration for performers begins at 1 p.m.

For more information, contact Holly Wilson at (810)-620-1299 ext. 7666.