In the 1960s, it became the Johnson Family YMCA, named after civil rights activist and Jacksonville native James Weldon Johnson. Johnson’s widow gave her blessing for the name change ...

when it was renamed James Weldon Johnson Park. During Tuesday night’s City Council meting, Elwood Hemming, a descendant of the Hemming family, which donated the statue, appeared via Zoom.

The festival will begin at 4 p.m. and close out at 8 p.m. at James Weldon Johnson Park. Councilman Rahman Johnson will host the event. The city asks that participants RSVP ahead of time to stay ...