By Benjamin Rothstein

DOVER — A longtime staple, the Positively Dover African American Festival is returning to Legislative Mall for its 34th year June 22.

The family-friendly event was founded by a local legend of advocacy, Reuben Salters.

“The festival is a unique opportunity to provide a place where everybody can come and enjoy fellowship and be in the environment,” he said. “Legislative Mall is probably one of the most beautiful places we have in Delaware.”

The gathering will have food, vendors, entertainment and more — and Mr. Salters said the music will feature a Motown-style sound for 2024.

“(We’re) bringing in some oldies but goodies,” he said. “We’re going to rock Dover.”

Attendees will start coming together for the festival as early as 7 a.m., Mr. Salters said, but the crowd begins to grow by 10, just in time for a procession at 11.

“The grand procession is where all the dignitaries and invited guests dress up in their dashikis, in their African attire,” he explained, “and, with the assistance of the Sankofa (Cultural Arts Center) Dancers and Drummers, (they) parade around the inside of the vendor zone.”

Mr. Salters said visitors should also expect cordiality, friendship and hospitality, adding that he is overjoyed at how Positively Dover, which started as a craft fair, has grown.

“The leaps and bounds it’s grown — it’s grown just tremendously, and people keep coming out. ... So, we’re doing something right,” he said. “When I started this festival, I didn’t have any idea it would (have) businesses coming from all over the world just to little ’ol Dover for the African American Fest. And we try to set the example for the rest of the country.”

The festival’s booths feature a large variety of vendors, ranging from voter registration to robotics.

“Anybody who has a cause, who wants to ... pass out that message, we give them that opportunity,” Mr. Salters said.

Plus, a significant portion is given to the celebration of culture, and he said understanding each other’s traditions is quintessentially American.

“We have what we call ‘an American melting pot.’ Well, it won’t melt unless we put some effort in to make it melt and just form one perfect union. And we only can do that if we share cultures,” he said.

The African American Festival is a free event. The Biggs Museum of American Art will be offering complimentary admission that day, as well.

For information, call 302-883-2180 or email sanicaaf@comcast.net.