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Brace Yourselves: 2013 KwanzaaFest canceled
WFAA ^

Posted on 10/21/2013 9:05:45 PM PDT by My Favorite Headache

DALLAS — KwanzaaFest is an annual event that activist Thomas Muhammad helped found. It draws tens of thousands of people to Fair Park every second weekend in December.

But News 8 has learned the cultural celebration is taking the year off.

“2013 looks like it's not going to happen,” Muhammad said.

More than two decades ago, Muhammad, Commissioner John Wiley Price, and others first decided to find a way to showcase African-American businesses during the holiday season.

KwanzaaFest was born, but Commissioner Price's legal troubles are likely what killed it.

Federal investigators continue to examine Price's finances with court documents alleging the commissioner committed conspiracy, bribery, and money laundering.

He has not been charged with any crime.

“Because of the aura, a couple of corporate sponsors quite naturally don't want to be exposed to negative media," Muhammad said. "Some of them pulled out, and I think that had a lot to do with passing this up at this time."

But the cancellation is more than just a disappointment at missing the concerts and shopping that go along with the event.

HealthFest — which runs as a part of KwanzaaFest — provided everything from HIV testing to free vision screenings for for those who might only see a doctor at this event.

“That's going to be a serious loss to the Dallas community, who every year for over 20 years have come to this venue to get health services,” said Dallas County Health and Human Services director Dr. Zachary Thompson.

He said the department hasn’t been formally notified that the 2013 event is off.

Commissioner Price's website still has KwanzaaFest on the schedule for December 14-15, and Fair Park says it’s still holding those dates open for the event.

Muhammad said the KwanzaaFest committee made the decision to cancel very recently. He was notified Sunday via text message.

News 8 has learned that others were notified by letter.

Muhammad hopes to bring KwanzaaFest back in 2014. "I think the decision just finally came down we need to take a breather, hold up, rebuild, and come back," he said.

E-mail msaavedra@wfaa.com


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: kwanzaa
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BIGGEST B.S. "HOLIDAY" in history. Conceived in a prison cell by a murderer and torturing Muslim thug.
1 posted on 10/21/2013 9:05:45 PM PDT by My Favorite Headache
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To: My Favorite Headache

Oh no! How are we going to make it through the Winter Holiday without it?!


2 posted on 10/21/2013 9:08:32 PM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (Hold on to your burrito! Here comes amnesty!)
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To: My Favorite Headache

NO KWANZAA NO PEACE.

Oh wait. No kwanzaa means fewer feral yutes causing mayhem. Good.


3 posted on 10/21/2013 9:09:22 PM PDT by 43north (BHO: 50% black, 50% white, 100% RED)
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To: My Favorite Headache

4 posted on 10/21/2013 9:10:03 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: My Favorite Headache; a fool in paradise

Waaaaah, waaaaah! I want Saint Malcolm the Tenth to bring me toys on Kwanzaa Night!


5 posted on 10/21/2013 9:11:44 PM PDT by Revolting cat! (Bad things are wrong! Ice cream is delicious!)
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To: My Favorite Headache

Just to save a few bucks? That was rather niggardly of them.


6 posted on 10/21/2013 9:12:19 PM PDT by ElkGroveDan (My tagline is in the shop.)
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To: My Favorite Headache

No Kwanzaafest??? Keepin’ the brother man down, baby! You be an Uncle Tom!!! /s;)


7 posted on 10/21/2013 9:12:47 PM PDT by Frank_2001
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To: My Favorite Headache

Kwanzzan Fest wont’s be happnin’. - Ebonics


8 posted on 10/21/2013 9:12:58 PM PDT by VerySadAmerican (".....Barrack, and the horse Mohammed rode in on.")
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To: My Favorite Headache

The Year They Cancelled Kwanza. Coming to a Hallmark Channel near you.


9 posted on 10/21/2013 9:13:22 PM PDT by fhayek
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To: My Favorite Headache

Phony made-up holiday, no loss. And I am not against all phony holidays either- I can at least respect the ideals of Festivus.


10 posted on 10/21/2013 9:13:30 PM PDT by richmwill
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To: My Favorite Headache

White female elementary schoolteachers all over Dallas are profusely weeping.


11 posted on 10/21/2013 9:14:39 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Resist We Much)
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To: richmwill

Who can oppose a holiday that has an annual airing of grievances ?


12 posted on 10/21/2013 9:15:30 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Resist We Much)
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To: dfwgator

John Wiley Price should thank God he is black. If he were a white politician He’d have been in prison long ago


13 posted on 10/21/2013 9:17:10 PM PDT by Fai Mao (Genius at Large)
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To: 43north

NO KWANZAA, KNOW PEACE.


14 posted on 10/21/2013 9:18:16 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar
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To: fhayek

lmfao!!!!


15 posted on 10/21/2013 9:19:32 PM PDT by My Favorite Headache (In a world where I feel so small, I can't stop thinking big.)
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To: richmwill

“Phony made-up holiday, no loss. And I am not against all phony holidays either- I can at least respect the ideals of Festivus.”

Hey September 19 is Talk like a Pirate day. Now there is a great made up holiday if ever there was one


16 posted on 10/21/2013 9:20:31 PM PDT by Fai Mao (Genius at Large)
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To: My Favorite Headache
Panic In The Streets.


17 posted on 10/21/2013 9:20:57 PM PDT by Paladin2
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To: My Favorite Headache

Now there will be fewer crimes and arrests that day.

Go ahead and call me a racist. I’m still right.


18 posted on 10/21/2013 9:21:43 PM PDT by vladimir998
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To: Jet Jaguar

Very good!


19 posted on 10/21/2013 9:22:40 PM PDT by 43north (BHO: 50% black, 50% white, 100% RED)
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To: My Favorite Headache

I would love analysis on how the crime rates in the city fluctuate before, during and immediately after the gatherings. Might be pretty damn eye opening to observe.


20 posted on 10/21/2013 9:27:13 PM PDT by freedom462
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