Annual Black History Month Parade and Town Fair in Palm Springs to begin with flyover

The annual Black History Month Parade and Town Fair will get underway tomorrow with a flyover from a historic Tuskegee Airmen Redtail P-51 airplane provided by the Palm Springs Air Museum.

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Palm Canyon Drive and Baristo Road with the grand marshal, local artist Tysen Knight, according to the city spokeswoman Amy Blaisdell.

"The City of Palm Springs recognizes the rich culture, history, and important accomplishments of our African American community and the work of the Palm Springs Black History Committee,'' Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein said in a statement. "We invite the entire Coachella Valley to join us this Saturday in downtown as we celebrate Black History Month and the significant contributions our African American citizens.''  

Immediately after the parade, from noon to 6 p.m., a Town Fair will be held in the Downtown Park by the Forever Marilyn sculpture, Blaisdell said. There will be live music, food and activities.

The Palm Springs Black History Month Committee, Palm Springs Art Museum and the City of Palm Springs partnered for the month of February to host a series of events celebrating Black History Month. The series got underway Feb. 1 with a celebration of the Harlem Renaissance and African American culture and arts.

Other events that have been held include free weekly night sessions at the museum, family-oriented programming related to Black History Month, the 37th annual Black History Month Awards Gala, a men's basketball tournament and a Palm Springs Black History Caravan.

The events will conclude Thursday with a block party celebrating 50 years of hip hop.

More information can be found at palmspringsblackhistory.org.