A member of the Washington Diamonds Drill Team throws some glitter into the air during a performance by the team for the crowd along the Africatown Heritage Parade route. (Photo: Susan Fried)

PHOTO ESSAY | Umoja Fest 2024 Draws Thousands to the 'Soul of Seafair'

This year's Umoja Fest Africatown Heritage Festival and Parade drew thousands of people to Judkins Park on Aug. 3 and 4 for the annual celebration its organizers describe as the "soul of Seafair." "Umoja" is a Swahili word meaning "unity," and the annual festival celebrates Seattle's Black community in what many festivalgoers say feels like a family reunion.

Published on:

Aug 06, 2024, 11:00 pm

by Susan Fried

Spectators lined the parade route, which began at 3rd Avenue and Cherry Street and ended at 23rd Avenue South and South Jackson Street. The parade featured 40 different groups and organizations, including the Seattle Buffalo Soldiers, the Seattle Public Schools' All-City Marching Band, the casts of The Teen Summer Musical Snow Whyte and the Seven, and multiple drill teams including the Washington Diamonds and the Electronettes.

After the parade ended, the crowd made its way to the festival, which featured a Soul in the City Stage and a Vibez Stage, plus a Children's Village with lots of hands-on activities. Performances throughout both days of the festival included headliner Doug E. Fresh on Saturday evening on the Soul in the City Stage and The Show Stopper Fashion Show on the Vibez Stage on Saturday afternoon.

Festivalgoers could buy a variety of products at the dozens of vendor booths or find information about everything from mortgages to health care.

Despite the heat, the annual festival was a huge success as thousands of people enjoyed two days of music, fun and friends.

A diverse group of people, including adults and children, are gathered on a city street for a public event. Some are seated in folding chairs while others stand, with a few taking photos or holding children. The backdrop includes modern buildings and an Amazon Fresh store.

Parade watchers line up on the corner of 23rd Avenue South and South Jackson Street on Aug. 3, 2024, to watch the Umoja Fest Africatown Heritage Parade. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A young woman wearing a yellow T-shirt with

Skye Dior waves at the people watching the Africatown Heritage Parade. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Keisha Garrison, founder of Hey, Black Seattle, mans her booth at the Umoja Festival on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A composite image of three models on a fashion runway. The left model wears a black strapless top, high-waisted shorts with a floral pattern, a black sequin jacket, and black boots. The center model wears a colorful off-the-shoulder top, a bright pink skirt with a high slit, white sunglasses, and orange platform heels. The right model wears a neon green two-piece outfit with a knotted crop top and high-waisted pants, and green heels.

The Show Stopper Fashion Show took place on the the Vibez Stage during the annual Umoja Festival on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A performer on stilts wearing a bright red costume interacts with children dressed in colorful traditional clothing at an outdoor market. Various tents and stalls with people shopping and engaging in activities are visible in the background, set against a backdrop of green trees and a blue sky.

A man on stilts dances with some children near the Children's Village during the Umoja Festival on Aug. 3, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A man dressed as a cavalry soldier, wearing a black hat, blue vest, and red bandana, rides a brown horse while holding an American flag. Another white horse is partially visible beside him.

The Seattle Buffalo Soldiers President Geordan Newbill rides his horse in the Africatown Heritage Parade. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A girl tosses some candy to the kids lining the Africatown Heritage Parade route along 23rd Avenue South. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A woman dressed in a black historical costume and wide-brimmed hat holds two vintage pistols during a reenactment event. A man in a cavalry uniform walks beside her, smiling.

The Seattle Buffalo Soldiers participated in the Africatown Heritage Parade. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A group of enthusiastic young dancers wearing blue T-shirts and khaki shorts perform energetically in the middle of a street during a parade. They are moving in sync with expressive gestures, with some cheering and others smiling widely.

The cast of the Teen Summer Musical 'Snow Whyte and the Seven' perform during the Africatown Heritage Parade. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A woman in a blue jumpsuit stands next to a German Shepherd dog in front of her art display at an outdoor market. The display features several large paintings, including a black and white portrait of a woman's face with gold lips, a painting of hands holding a flower, and colorful floral artwork.

Artist DeVona Roy poses with her dog in front of her booth at the annual Umoja Fest on Aug. 3, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A group of colorful parade performers dance energetically in the street. They wear bright costumes with silver, pink, and blue sequins, and some have turquoise hats and masks. In the center, a performer holds a flexible pose with one leg extended high. Behind them, drummers and other dancers in matching outfits move in sync.

The Electronettes Drill Team performs at the end of the Africatown Heritage Parade. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Editors' Note: This article was updated to correct typographical errors.

Susan Fried is a 40-year veteran photographer. Her early career included weddings, portraits, and commercial work — plus, she's been The Skanner News' Seattle photographer for 25 years. Her images have appeared in the University of Washington's The Daily, The Seattle Globalist, Crosscut, and many more.She's been an Emerald contributor since 2015. Follow her on Instagram @fried.susan.

📸 Featured Image: A member of the Washington Diamonds Drill Team throws some glitter into the air during a performance by the team for the crowd along the Africatown Heritage Parade route. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Before you move on to the next story …

The South Seattle Emerald™ is brought to you by Rainmakers. Rainmakers give recurring gifts at any amount. With around 1,000 Rainmakers, the Emerald™ is truly community-driven local media. Help us keep BIPOC-led media free and accessible.

If just half of our readers signed up to give $6 a month, we wouldn't have to fundraise for the rest of the year. Small amounts make a difference.

We cannot do this work without you. Become a Rainmaker today!

Featured