Natives of African Countries Invited to Join Annual Parade, Festival

Natives of African nations now living in western Pennsylvania are invited to participate Saturday in the Parade of African Nations during the 2011 African Diversity Festival in Pittsburgh's Hill District.

Organizers said they have obtained a city permit for the parade, which will begin at 11 a.m. and will run until 1 p.m. Marchers from around the region will assemble at the Freedom Corner intersection of Centre Avenue and Crawford Street and proceed to 2030 Centre Ave.

Participants are asked to dress in African attire, carry flags from their nations if possible and bring family and friends with them. Parade organizers said they also hope to include drummers, dancers, masquerade artists and food in the event.

The third annual African Diversity Festival, sponsored by Pittsburgh's Union of African Communities and Ujamaa Collective, is set for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at 2030 Centre Ave., Hill District. It will feature an African marketplace and musical and artistic performances from African and Caribbean nations in addition to the parade.

Pittsburgh's Miss Africa Night pageant and fashion show will be held at 9 p.m. Saturday in the Elsie Hillman Auditorium at the Hill House Association's Kaufman Center, 1835 Centre Ave., Hill District.

For more information, call 412-759-4565 or 412-228-5160 or send an email toinfo@pittsburghafricans.org.