Port Royal Community Reunion: Celebrating Our Legacy, Together

This Saturday, August 16, the Port Royal community will come alive at John S. Parker Park for an afternoon of fellowship, fun, and good food. The gathering is more than just a reunion, it’s a celebration of shared memories, local traditions, and the deep roots that connect generations in the Sea Islands.

For many in our community, this park holds a special place in our hearts. I can still remember dancing around the maypole as a child at Little People’s College, a tradition that symbolized joy, unity, and the turning of the seasons. For an African American school in the Sea Islands, this was more than just a playful springtime activity, it was a reflection of resilience and cultural pride.

In the South, particularly in the Gullah Geechee corridor and Sea Islands, the dance sometimes blended into school and community events in the 19th and 20th centuries, often tied to end-of-school-year celebrations and leading up to Decoration Day (the earliest known celebration of Memorial Day, launched by formerly enslaved Africans in the Sea Islands of S.C. .

It was about claiming space, creating beauty, and celebrating life in a time and place where opportunities for Black children to freely express themselves in public spaces were hard-won. The ribbons, bright and intertwined, mirrored the connections between families, neighbors, and the generations who have kept Port Royal’s traditions alive.

As we gather this weekend, we honor those who came before us — the educators, parents, and community leaders who made sure we had places to play, to learn, and to grow. We celebrate the bonds that tie us together, as strong and colorful as those maypole ribbons from years past.

Event Details:
📅 Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
🕛 Time: Starting at Noon
📍 Location: John S. Parker Park, Port Royal, SC

Come for the fellowship, stay for the food, and leave with a full heart. Let’s continue weaving our stories together in this place that means so much.

Donations can be made by cash (see Nard or Stien Boy) or via Cash App: $PortRoyal70.