Cocke County's 4th Annual Diversity Festival

Saturday, 15 January 2005, 10am - 4pm
at Cocke County High School in Newport
(I-40 to Exit 435, left-North- to 3rd traffic light then left around driveway to CCHS)

Music, Food, Displays to celebrate "We are the Dreamkeepers"
"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend" – MLK

The goal is to expose the local community to as many diverse races, creeds, religions etc, as we possible can and to welcome everyone to our county. We encourage folks if there are foods specific to their culture to please bring samples to give out. For example, African American chitlins, Jewish Latkas, Chinese appetizers, Muslim dates, southern food, Native American corn soup, etc.

Call 423-237-1078 for details

NEWPORT TN People of Cocke County will be joined by supporters from around the region as they gather to celebrate diversity in their community and across the nation at Cocke County High School. The first Diversity Festival was held at the school in 2002 while Ku Klux Klansmen rallied at the courthouse steps on the other side of the town of Newport.

Despite much local opposition, the KKK has continued to make its presence known through costumed appearances and distribution of hate messages, but organizers are addressing that activity by attempting to establish a neighborhood watch program. The Diversity Festival is a purely positive and constructive event that the community wants to hold for its own benefit.

In 2002, Cocke County schools were closed for the first time in observance of the Martin Luther King holiday, the Klan held their rally and the community held the first Diversity Festival. The town and its African American mayor, Roland Dykes, Jr. made national news in 2002 because of the Klan rally and the resultant community solidarity.

Friends of every race, religion, ethnicity, lifestyle, culture and class are invited to celebrate our fascinating differences in an atmosphere of respect and admiration. As always there will be no charge for admission and everyone's involvement will be appreciated. The event will end at 4:30 PM. Exhibitors, food donors and other contributors are welcome to register for participation by emailing: diversityfestival@easttncontact.org