Parade This Saturday To Celebrate Black History Month

Palm Springs will celebrate Black History Month with a parade on Saturday.

It’s the 25th anniversary of the parade, and organizers received 63 entries, up from 42 last year, organizer Will Pellum said.

The theme is “25 Years of Celebrating Our Past, Embracing Our Future.”

Pellum said local boxer Timothy Bradley was slated to be grand marshal, but had to back out because he is promoting his June fight with Manny Pacquiao.

Instead, two daughters of James O. Jessie, a community leader who died saving a child on a fishing trip in 2000, will be grand marshals, Pellum said.

Jessie founded the parade and town fair, and Palm Springs’ James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center is named for him, Pellum said.

“We’re carrying on his tradition he started 25 years ago,” said Pellum, recreation program coordinator at the center.

The parade will start at Palm Canyon Drive and Arenas Road.

The Black History Town Fair will start at noon at Palm Springs Stadium, 1901 E. Baristo Road.

The fair, which is free, includes food, music and carnival activities, Pellum said.

James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center has hosted Black History Month activities all month, including a basketball tournament and a soul food dinner and fashion show.

For more information, go to www.palmsprings-ca.gov.