With two of her newest illustrations at the right, artist Mary Watkins starts another portrait at the African American Celebration at Patterson Park Community Center. photo by Jim Davis/Murfreesboro Parks & Rec.

Florence Smith cooks cornbread along with mash potatoes, meat loaf, beans, macaroni and other items for the food tasting portion of African American Celebration at Patterson Park Community Center. photo by Jim Davis/Murfreesboro Parks & Rec.

DaMya Johnson, left, feeds her grandmother, Toni Madison, cornbread at the African American Celebration at Patterson Park Community Center. Several different types of food was available for tasting at the event. photo by Jim Davis/Murfreesboro Parks & Rec.

Jimmy Smith, in Civil War uniform, talks with Clifford Reeves telling Reeves how soldiers had to be able to reload and fire their weapon three times in one minute. The painting at the right commemorates the battle of Nashville from the Civil War. Smith was part of the African American Celebration at Patterson Park Community Center. photo by Jim Davis/Murfreesboro Parks & Rec.

Artist Xavian Marable places one of his paintings on an easel for display at the African American Celebration at Patterson Park Community Center. photo by Jim Davis/Murfreesboro Parks & Rec.

Diane Smith, left, explains to Lisa Bass the history of her family crest at the African American Celebration at Patterson Park Community Center. photo by Jim Davis/Murfreesboro Parks & Rec.

Raymond Summour, a member of the Casey Clark and friends band, plays a solo at the African American Celebration at Patterson Park Community Center. photo by Jim Davis/Murfreesboro Parks & Rec.

John Brooks, a member of the Casey Clark and friends band, plays a solo at the African American Celebration at Patterson Park Community Center. photo by Jim Davis/Murfreesboro Parks & Rec.

Kaliah Davis does interpretative movements to the playing of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s I have a Dream speech at the African American Celebration at Patterson ParkCommunity Center. photo by Jim Davis/Murfreesboro Parks & Rec.

Award winning Red Giraffe Theatre Troupe from Bradley Elementary School perform at the African American Celebration at Patterson ParkCommunity Center. photo by Jim Davis/Murfreesboro Parks & Rec.