ANAHEIM, Calif. — There will be step dancing and double dutch squads jump roping on Anaheim streets.
The sounds of drums and marching bands will play music and march up and down Anaheim Boulevard from Lincoln Avenue to Water Street before returning to Anaheim City Hall.
Classic cars will cruise down the parade route as the Orange County Heritage Council invites the community to come together and celebrate the 43rd annual Orange County Black History Parade and Unity Festival Saturday in Anaheim.
Thousands of people are expected to enjoy the day-long event that kicks off with a blessing of the city at 9 a.m., followed by a parade from 10 a.m. to noon in downtown Anaheim.
The parade's Grand Marshal is Adai Lamar, the local voice for the "Steve Harvey Morning Show" on 102.3 KJLH.
The Unity Festival will come after the parade and feature music, food trucks, vendors, a youth village, a college fair, health screenings, and a custom car and motorcycle show at the Center Street Promenade.
The street fair will have a stage where a DJ and bands play music and guest speakers discuss Black history.
"The sense of community and togetherness of this event is an inspiration to us all," said Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken in a news release. Aitken and members of the Anaheim City Council will ride in the parade.
"It is an honor and source of pride for Anaheim to host Orange County's only Black History Month parade," she added. "Each year, the parade brings thousands of people together to celebrate African American contributions and culture and to enjoy great food, entertainment and family fun."
This is the 11th year Anaheim is hosting the parade and festival. The festivities returned last year after being postponed in 2021 because of the pandemic.
The parade and Unity Festival are free for the public.