The Greene County Democrat

Tag: Black Belt Folk Roots Festival

  • The Black Belt Folk Roots Festival Continues

    The Black Belt Folk Roots Festival Continues

    Submitted by Dr. Carol Prejean Zippert  

    The 51st annual Black Belt Folk Roots Festival, held August 22-23, 2026 in Eutaw, AL, embraced the challenge of community celebrating community. The 2025 Festival marked the 50th anniversary but instead of signaling a conclusion to this mainstay event, the call was loud and clear: The Festival Must Continue. The Society of Folk Arts & Culture answered the call. 

    Dr. Carol P. Zippert, Director of the Society and the longtime volunteer coordinator of the annual Festival, enlisted the creative help of two young women who know the culture of the Black Belt Region and could infuse new energy and inspiration for a transitioning leadership. Barbara Amerson Hunter, who assisted Zippert with the festival for many years, and Teresa Atkins, an experienced event planner, entrepreneur and educator assumed the front-line production of the 51st annual Black Belt Folk Roots Festival. Three hearts and heads working together.

    Hunter and Atkins reviewed records of the components leading to the production of the annual Festival. This included considering participating artists (blues and gospel singers, dancers, storytellers, food ways and craft vendors, and artists mentoring children); contacting all participants, technicians, and on-site workers; securing tents, tables, chairs and shop fans, ordering souvenir t-shirts and securing additional funding as costs rose.

    To the delight of all attendees, the Festival featured several artists who are longtime participants, including bluesmen Clarence Davis, Jock Webb, Nigel Speights, Terry ‘Harmonica’ Bean, The Fingerprint Band, Russell Gulley, Mississippi Blues Boys; gospel artists included Eddie Mae Brown, New Generation Men of Promise, The Melody Kings, the Mississippi Traveling Stars, the Golden Gates, Greene County Mass Choir, and St. John Baptist Church Choir.

    Local artist, Maya Steele again guided the children (under the Kids Tent) in expressing their creative gifts using simplistic materials. Maya is committed to helping our youth know that they have a place at the Festival.

    The special treat for all at the Festival were the young artists sharing music, spoken word and variety of crafts and food. Their presence extended the hope that even as traditions evolve and cultural expressions change, our history must continue to be lifted as our powerful story. The gifts we share at the Festival reflect how we live together, how we care for each other and how we build community. 

    Featured Image: Jock Webb and Clarence Davis performing an ol’ timey blues set

  • Sarah Lee Duncan celebrated for 85 Years of faith, family, and service

    Sarah Lee Duncan celebrated for 85 Years of faith, family, and service

    Submitted by Debbie Duncan

    Family, friends, church members, and community supporters gathered on June 13, 2026, at the Eutaw Activity Center to celebrate the 85th birthday of Ms. Sarah Lee Duncan, a beloved Greene County resident whose life continues to reflect faith, service, family, and community commitment.

    The celebration was held under the theme, “A Life Well Lived, A Legacy Still Growing,” with Proverbs 16:31 as the theme scripture: “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.”

    Ms. Duncan was born to Samuel Duncan and Hattie Brown and was the seventh of ten children. Her early years on the family farm taught her the value of hard work, responsibility, unity, and honest labor. These are lessons that continue to guide her life.

    Faith has always been central to Ms. Duncan’s journey. She confessed Christ at an early age, was baptized by Rev. Willie Knox, and was a longtime member of Pine Grove Baptist Church before moving her membership to Second Baptist Church. For more than 40 years, she has served on the Usher Board and remains connected to church service as her health allows.

    Ms. Duncan is also known for her many years of civic service. For more than 50 years, she has served as a registrar and helped register hundreds of citizens to vote in Greene County. She remains active in voting and continues to believe that every citizen should have the opportunity to let their voice be heard.

    Her community involvement also includes her work with the New South Coalition, where she served as a grassroots worker encouraging voter participation and supporting efforts to improve Greene County. For more than 30 years, she was also known for her homemade ice cream at the Black Belt Folk Roots Festival in Eutaw. Although she is now retired from making ice cream, her contribution remains a treasured part of Greene County’s cultural history.

    Ms. Duncan is the proud mother of three daughters, Debbie, Regina, and Sarah, and is blessed with four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Her family continues to reflect the values she planted: faith, education, service, compassion, and commitment to helping others.

    Ms. Sarah Lee Duncan was celebrated for 85 years of life, and she was honored as a living example of strength, grace, faith, and community love. Her legacy is still growing through the lives she continues to touch.

  • This Weekend: Black Belt Folk Roots Festival

  • Local artists plan arts activities for festival’s Kid’s Tent

    Kid’s Tent at annual festival engages youth in hands-on art activities

    Mynecia (Mya) Steele and Noelle Goodson Hines,

    By Carol P. Zippert

    The annual Black Belt Folk Roots Festival was conceived and planned as a community celebration, lifting the culture and traditions of the region, and is currently in its 49th year.
    The festival is scheduled for Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25 on the Thomas Gilmore (old courthouse) square.
    A special feature of the annual Black Belt Folk Roots Festival is the Kid’s Tent which provides hands-on-art activities for young people at the festival site on Saturday, August 24, 2024. The Kid’s Tent will welcome young people on the festival grounds to participate in the various hands-on-arts activities beginning at 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 24. As a community celebration is is important that the festival is inviting to the children. We must assure that they have a place in this special community gathering.
    The Kid’s Tent will be located on the Northern area of the town square, across from Eutaw City Hall.
    Greene County artists, Mynecia (Mya) Steele and Noelle Goodson Hines, will lead the youth activities engaging them in creative exercises including drawing, painting, face painting and more. The participating youth will take home their creations as well as additional art supplies.
    Mynecia Steele is a published author and graphic artists who will also have a selection of her works for display and sale at the festival. Her various children’s books, themed posters and myriad creations have become treasured items locally as well as throughout the worldwide web, under her brand This is Myne Design. Mya is also sought out as a festival and other events planner. Mya is a native of Greene County, educated in the Greene County School System and a graduate of Troy University.
    Noelle Hines, a graduate of Alabama A&M University, is a Visual Artist, Graphic Designer, and all around creative. Affectionately known as “the Paintbrush Pimp”, she hails from Mobile, Alabama. Noëlle first realized her talent at the age of 5, and has been honing her craft for over 30 years. Noëlle is a traditional artist who creates visually stimulating designs that enhance thinking capacity and persuasion, exhibits cultural diversities, and spirited individuality. She is the owner and CEO of JoyeuxWorks: graphics.art.design, an art and design firm that creates branding packages and stationery, logos, websites, invitation suites, social media posts, billboard layouts, product design, mockups, push marketing visuals, t-shirt design, custom artwork, portraits, murals, and much more. Noëlle’s work can be viewed on the streets of Downtown Mobile, Alabama and on the walls of various schools throughout the state of Alabama, including Robert Brown Middle School in Eutaw (Greene County). Noëlle lives in Eutaw Alabama with her husband, daughter, and stepson.

  • Eutaw City Council meets July 9; declines to approve new expenses requested by Mayor

    Eutaw celebrated two milestones on June 29th, 2024: Wilma Wedgeworth’s 40 years as custodian and Assistant Chief Smith’s retirement from EPD. We appreciate their dedication and hard work. Eutaw Police Department

    In its first regular meeting for the month, on July 9th, the Eutaw City Council continued its efforts to control expenses by rejecting several requests for new expenses proposed by Mayor Latasha Johnson. Councilman Larrie Coleman was absent, all other members were present.

    Under Old Business, the Eutaw Council voted to disapprove travel, registration and per diem expenses for Angelia Bonner and Barbara Collins to attend the AL E-911 Gulf Coast Conference in Gulf Shores, Alabama from October 13-16, 2024. The Council did not feel the travel expense was justified based on the program agenda provided. The Mayor argued that the two employees needed to get the information and training because it relates to do their jobs effectively.

    The Council also rejected approval of three contracts for persons employed by the city. One contract was for Sara Leavelle to serve as Utility Clerk at the Water Department. Ms. Leavelle had announced that she was leaving her city job for higher pay in a neighboring municipality but changed her mind and wanted to stay with the City of Eutaw. The Mayor offered her a contract at a higher salary because she decided to stay. The Mayor also had prepared contracts for City Attorney, Zane Willingham and Joshua Swords, City Judge, for approval by the Council.

    Speaking for the Eutaw City Council, Councilwoman Tracie Hunter, said it was unfair to give an increase to one employee rather than evaluate all the employees for a raise at the start of the next fiscal year. Hunter said she felt all the city employees were doing a dedicated job, above and beyond the call of duty. Councilman Jonathan Woodruff said the contracts the Mayor proposed were for four years and would have bound the next elected Mayor and Council that may wish to employ others in these positions.

    The City Council did approve payment to Harbin and Stough PC for $31,000 for the FY2023 Audit report. They approved $300 for a full-page ad in the Black Belt Folk Roots Festival program booklet. The Council also agreed to support “Fun Day” for youth at the R. H. Young Community Center. No specific request was submitted so the staff were asked to find out what was needed and the cost of sponsorship. The Council also voted to pay outstanding bills.

    In the Public Comments section of the meeting, questions were asked about fixing the holes in the street at the City’s Lock 7 Park. The Mayor said she was still working on fixing the potholes and until that was done the park gates would be locked for safety reasons. Councilman Woodruff requested a time when the City Finance Committee could meet with Financial Adviser Ralph Liverman to work on the next fiscal year’s budget.

    In response to a question from this reporter, the Mayor said that the Council had approved a plan to increase water and sewer rates as of October 1, 2024. The Council still plans to hold a public hearing on the rates, but the new rates were passed in an ordinance in the last meeting. The Council voted to suspend the rules and pass the ordinance with one reading, rather than two readings, that we reported in a prior newspaper.

    This led to a question of when they were going to raise garbage rates which are billed on the same statement as water and sewer usage each month.

  • Greenetrack, Inc. sponsors First Juneteenth celebration in Greene County

    Greene County can boast of extraordinary and consistent efforts to celebrate and commemorate significant social, political, and cultural change events that had positive impacts on all of Greene County and beyond, but Greene County has never celebrated Juneteenth. Through the efforts of Spiver Gordon, the county celebrates Greene County Freedom Day, July 29, 1969, when the 80% + Black population won a sweep of county political offices. Gordon also leads annual celebrations and commemorations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s, birthday, January 15, 1929 and assassination, April 4, 1968. But Greene County has never celebrated Juneteenth. We have celebrated Kwanzaa in Greene County over 30 years and the Black Belt Folk Roots Festival for 45 years. But Greene County has never celebrated Juneteenth. We have Boligee Day and Maydays in Forkland and Union. But Greene County has never celebrated Juneteenth. Juneteenth (a contraction of June and nineteenth) also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day – is a holiday celebrating the emancipation of Black people enslaved in the United States. June 19, 1865 is the date Texas was forced to free enslaved Black people in the state, nearly three years after the initial Emancipation Proclamation of President Abraham Lincoln. Juneteenth is now coming to Greene County. According to President and CEO, Luther Winn, Greenetrack is sponsoring the First Juneteenth Celebration in Greene County. The events, scheduled for Saturday, June 19, 2021 on the grounds of Greenetrack gaming, County Road 208, will feature a Car and Bike Show at 2:00 p.m, garnering $500 to the winner in each category; Ms. Juneteenth Pageant at 4:00 pm, awarding cash prizes starting at $2,500 along with a Smart TV; and a free concert featuring Steve Perry and Ms. Jodi, beginning at 7:00 p.m. On June 19, 1865, Federal Troops forced Texas to free enslaved Black people, who should have been set free at the official close of the Civil War. The Battle of Appomattox Court House, fought in Appomattox County, Virginia, on the morning of April 9, 1865, was one of the last battles of the American Civil War (1861–1865). It was the final engagement of Confederate General in Chief, Robert E. Lee, and his Army of Northern Virginia before it surrendered to the Union Army of the Potomac under the Commanding General of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant. Abraham Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862. It stipulated that if the Southern states did not cease their rebellion by January 1, 1863, then Proclamation would go into effect. When the Confederacy did not yield, Lincoln issued the final Emancipation Proclamation on January 1st, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation only applied to the states in rebellion. The Civil War and enslavement of Blacks continued until Lee’s surrender on April 9, 1865. Enforcement of the Proclamation generally relied on the advance of Union troops. Texas, as the most remote of the slave states, had a low presence of Union troops as the American Civil War ended; thus enforcement there had been slow and inconsistent before Granger’s announcement. Juneteenth is thus commemorated on the anniversary date of the June 19, 1865, announcement of General Order No. 3 by Union Army General Gordon Granger, proclaiming freedom from slavery in Texas. Originating in Galveston, Texas, Juneteenth is now celebrated annually on June 19 throughout the United States, with increasing official recognition.

  • The 45th annual Black Belt Folk Roots Festival goes Virtual

    The 45th annual BlackBelt Folk Roots Festival, for the first time, will be a Virtual Celebration of folk artists who are the bearers of the culture and traditions of the West Alabama Region. According to Dr. Carol P. Zippert, festival coordinator, the coronavirus pandemic is the primary reason for presenting a virtual festival this year. “We could not jeopardize anyone with an on site community celebration,” she said.
    “The annual Black Belt Folk Roots Festival is home coming time in the region. Many families, class reunions and social clubs plan their annual activities to coincide with the festival’s schedule,” stated Dr. Zippert. “The usual on-site festival brings together folk artists who are considered bearers of the traditions and folkways of the West Alabama region. Having a Virtual Festival is a statement of recognition and celebration of the local artists who are the bearers of our culture, traditions and folkways,” she explained.
    The Virtual Festival will feature down home blues music, old timey gospel, traditional foods, handmade crafts and special events for the young people. Ole Timey Blues artists will include Clarence Davis, Jock Webb, Willie T. Adams, Ernest Martin, Jontavious Willis, Lil Lee and the Midnight Blues Band, Nigel Speights, Russell Gulley, Terry “Harmonica” Bean, Roadhouse Blues Band, Willie Halbert and the Fingerprint Band, and others.
    Music of the Ole Timey Gospel artists will include, The Melody Kings, The Mississippi Traveling Stars, The Golden Gates, Greene County Mass Choir, The American Travelers, Angels of Faith, Ms. Eddie Brown and many others.
    The Virtual Festival will celebrate the craft artists, creators of hand made quilts; baskets from white oak, pine needles and corn shuck; jewelry, sundry of home decorative items, and more. The virtual site will also include information where viewers may contact those craft artists who have arrangements for online purchases.
    The Virtual Web Site will also celebrate the artists who bring us the assortments of down-home foods usually available at the annual festival including soul food dinners, barbecue, fried fish, chicken and skins, Polish sausage, homemade ice cream, cakes and pies; snow cones, Italian ice, and more.
    The Virtual Festival web site will be made available beginning August 22, 2020.
    Virtual Kids Art Tent – A Zoom Experience
    The Virtual Kids Tent will be presented via Zoom. Local artists Mynecia (Mya) Steele has designed various art activities and will the guide the young people in the hands-on creative projects. The youth participants who register in advance will be provided the art materials needed to participate in the Zoom classes. They may contact Maya at 205-393-8644 or email: myneciads@gmail.com; or contact Carol Zippert at 205-372-0525, email: zippert.carol79@gmail.com.
    “This is a festival where people truly celebrate themselves – their joys and struggles and especially ‘how we made it over,’” Zippert stated. We intend to claim, lift, and share our treasures of community celebration through this very special Virtual Festival – the 45th Celebration of the Black Belt Folk Roots Festival.
    The Black Belt Folk Roots Festival is supported in part by the Alabama Department of Tourism, the Black Belt Community Foundation, Alabama Power Foundation; Greenetrack, Inc. and other local contributors.
    The festival is produced by the Society of Folk Arts & Culture.
    For more information contact Carol P. Zippert at 205-372-0525;
    Email: zippert.carol79@gmail.com

  • Aged and rotted tree on courthouse square removed; annual festival will go on

    The organizers of the annual Black Belt Folk Roots Festival, which is in its 44th year of community celebration, had a moment of concern when they were informed that an aged tree on the old courthouse square posed a potential danger to anyone on the grounds. The downtown square has been the site for the festival for most of those 44 years. The Eutaw Area Chamber of Commerce, which supervises use of the old courthouse square, posted yellow caution tape barring the two largest trees on the grounds from close access. This action raised concern among many in the community. The constant questions became: What about our festival? Will we still have our festival in August on the old courthouse square with the blues and gospel stage, assorted handcrafts, and a variety of foods?
    The Black Belt Folk Roots Festival is scheduled for Saturday, August 24 and Sunday August 25, 2019 and the festival will go on.
    Chamber President, Beverly Gordon, was very diligent in seeking solutions to the tree dilemma. The huge oak tree situated behind the former office of the county circuit clerk on the square was visibly rotted and a hazard that needed to be removed. Ms. Gordon consulted with city and county officials including the Greene County Cooperative Extension Office for input and assistance. Subsequently, an arrangement was worked out with Mrs. Lovie Burrell Parks, County Extension Coordinator to secure resources through an AlPro Health Obesity Grant, funded through Auburn University.
    According to Mrs. Parks, Greene is one of 13 counties, with adult obesity rates greater than 40%, funded through local community coalitions in support of initiatives to reduce obesity by providing increase access to healthy foods and places for physical activity. She explained that the Eutaw Community Coalition readily applied some of its ALPro Health grant funds to defray the cost to remove the rotted tree, since the sidewalk around the old courthouse square is utilized for healthy walks by many in the community. The benches on the square, also provided by the project, serve the needs of individuals walking for better health.
    “ The cutting of the tree will allow community citizens to walk around the square for more physical activity in greater safety,” Parks said. She extended a special thank you to the Eutaw Community Coalition for allowing this project to take place in the Eutaw city square.

  • County buys new trucks; adjusts for voter registrars pay raise; imposes security deposit for Activity Center

    The Greene County Commission, at its regular meeting held Monday, August 14, 2017, acted on various items carried over and placed on the agenda from the work session discussions of the previous week. The commission approved paying off an existing loan at Citizen Trust Bank on a garbage truck and beginning the process to acquire a loan to purchase a new garbage truck as well a new pick-up truck.
    In addition to its current fee schedule for use of the Eutaw Activity Center, the commission approved imposing a security deposit of $150 which will be refunded to renter providing no damage has occurred during use.
    As part of her budget amendments report, CFO Paula Bird informed the commission of an adjustment relative to the state mandated raise for County Voter Registrars.
    In 2016 the Alabama Legislature raised the pay rate for registrars from $60 per day to $80 per day with maximum number of days for each registrar not to exceed 120 per year.

    Following conclusion of required advertisement, the commission approved hiring a person in the solid waste division. Engineer Willie Branch oversees that process.
    The commission approved a credit card policy which was adopted from basic policy drafts available through the Alabama Association of County Commissions.
    Other actions approved by the commission included the following.
    * Hiring a temporary driver for the Eutaw Nutrition Site.
    * Providing access to courthouse restrooms during the annual Black Belt Folk Roots Festival.
    * Purchasing items for the shop ($69,500) and equipment repairs ($5,000) from General Fund bingo funds and amending budget to reflect approved expenditures.
    * Material agreement with Archie Bird, LLC.
    * Developing a pit on County Road 117, providing basic standards are met.
    * CD investment in amount of $110,416.41 with Robertson Banking Co., highest bidder.
    * Budget amendment for expenditure for RSA retired members one time lump sum payment, funded from 2007 Bond Warrant.
    * Renewed contracts with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama; S&W – Revenue/Appraisal; TriState-Appraisal; Delta Software-JOP; Digital Information Systems – IT Management for courthouse, jail and highway department.
    The commission tabled an item dealing with requests for bridge abandonment.

  • Hats off to Mrs. Mary Hicks

    By Mynecia D. Steele

     

    Hicks

    The Black Belt Folk Roots Festival is held on every fourth Saturday and Sunday in August.
    These days are engraved in the memories of all Greene County residents, one in particular being Mrs. Mary Hicks.
    Of the 41 years that the festival has been held, Hicks has been working as a vendor for 30 of those years.  She loves working the event and socializing with her community. Hicks enjoys showing off her work and sharing it with people who appreciate it, as she does. In the past, Hicks has also made baskets for her church, Saint John in Clinton, lead by Rev. Michael Lavender.
    Mary Hicks has tried her hand in a multitude of crafts over the years.  Some of her handcrafts include: chairs made from clothing pins and quilts. She has since put those things aside and now focuses on weaving hats and baskets. These crafts are mainly created from pine needles.
    Thirty years ago, she learned to make hats and baskets from Mabel Means, now deceased.
    Hicks worked as a vendor for the first time, alongside Means. Since Means’ passing, Hicks has begun selling on her own.
    According to Mrs. Hicks, creating crafts for the festival requires much preparation. Some of the smaller things, like hats, only take about two days to make. Other projects, like scarves and quilts may require as long as a week to complete.
    Over the years the festival has been a way for the community to come together, said Hicks.
    She is thankful that the festival has remained the same event that she has always loved.  While she has not sold anything in a few years, she plans to return this year, for the 41st Black Belt Folk Roots Festival.