CINCINNATI -- A longtime tradition and one of the city’s largest family events, the Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion starts Friday after receiving some odd publicity over the summer.
In June, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump ripped a photo taken by a WCPO freelancer at the event last August and tweeted it to promote his campaign.
The edited photo from @realDonaldTrump's tweet read “American families for Trump. We need a common sense president.”
The tweet caused an uproar on social media, as the Cincinnati family said they were not publicly supporting any presidential candidate.
This year's 3-day reunion kicks off at 8:30 a.m. Friday with the Heritage Breakfast/Opening Ceremony. The reunion will feature a job fair, parade, games, food and drink, arts, vendors and performers.
Performers include Cameo (6-8 p.m. Saturday), the funk band behind the hits “Word Up” and “Candy,” and gospel great Donnie McClurkin (5-8 p.m. Sunday).
The event attracts approximately 20,000 people a year. It is open to the public at no charge.
Other scheduled events include:
- Heritage Breakfast / Opening Ceremony: 8:30-10:30 a.m. Friday. The Word of Deliverance Ministries for the World Inc., 693 Fresno Road, Forest Park. Free admission.
- Job Fair: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday. Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road. Free admission.
- Black Family Reunion Community Parade: 10 a.m. Saturday. Begins at the Avondale Town Center, 3529 Reading Road. Free admission.
- Black Family Reunion Celebration: Noon-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Sawyer Point, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown. Free admission.
- Sunday Morning Outdoor Service: 10 a.m. Sunday. Sawyer Point. Free admission. Hosted by Donnie McClurkin.
