by S. Rotan Hale
On one of few days that actually had no rain in the forecast, Melrose Ave. (between 14th and 16th St.) was blocked off for the first Hope Festival held Saturday, May 28 in Roanoke’s Melrose Park.
The event emceed by Phat Rob, lasted from 11am to 8pm whereby vendors lined both sides of the street offering food, apparel, information on various services and programs and a host of other items.
Performances by musical groups and dance troupes added to the festivities that also involved various civic leaders who delivered messages of “hope.”
Among those who spoke was newly elected city councilman John Garland who opened his comments leading the crowd through a “Thank You” chant to event organizer Grover Price.
“I got to know Grover when he decided to run for city council in this year’s election and then he decided to do something better so he started the Hope Center,” Garland told the crowd.
“I want everyone to know that when the city told me I couldn’t do this festival I made one phone call to this man (Garland) and the next morning it was a go,” said Price standing hand-in-hand with Garland on stage.
The festival was a collaborative effort headed by Price of Roanoke Role Modelz a non-profit youth mentoring group he started. Building on his vision, Price also established the Hope Center, with the focus to engage in community outreach.
“Working with youth 5 days a week, we have tudors that come in to the center and engage kids in after school programs offering help with homework, etc,” Price said speaking of the center located at 506 11th St. NW.
Price says the center presently has 25 kids enrolled and he is expecting to raise that number to 60 by mid summer.
“We feed the students everyday, take them on various trips, hiking, fishing, camping etc… in an effort to change their mind set and show them that the world is big and not just about Roanoke.”
Price said the center, established about a year ago, will be open this summer from 8am to 1pm and will serve breakfast and lunch daily.
“I’ve been approved to feed up to 200 meals a day. For those in need who want to bring their children to this program, we can definitely help.”
The festival was launched to benefit area youth and to further the mission of the Hope Center.
“If you want to make change its important that you get out and vote but you can’t just show up on election day you’ve got to get involved,” said longtime Councilman Bill Bestpitch who joined many others for the center’s first event of this type which by all accounts was a huge success.
