Scarboro Fun Day celebration, events set for Sept. 10

The Oak Ridger
·2 min read

The Scarboro Community Alumni Association Fun Day will be Sept. 10 at the Scarboro Community Center, 148 Carver Ave., Oak Ridge.

The events at the Fun Day are in honor of the "Scarboro 85," the Black students who integrated Oak Ridge Schools in 1955.

Inside the Community Center, people can view the White and Black Communities exhibit, which displays African American experiences during the 1950s, WBIR-TV's "Secret in Scarboro" video, and walk through the memorabilia wall that depicts the history of the Scarboro Community. There will also be conceptual design information on the monument in honor of the "Scarboro 85."

One of the featured late afternoon performances Sept. 10 will be by Corey Lodge Hodge. He will be drumming with middle school musicians of Drums Up Guns Down, a nonprofit organization organized by Obayana Ajanaku, which provides safety through education, art, and passion for students in Knoxville. Hodge, a best-selling author, leader and director of education and youth services for the Knoxville Area Urban League, loves sharing the drumming experience and entertaining audiences, according to a news release.

"Scarboro 85" member L.C. "Larry" Gipson waves from a car during the Unity Parade on Saturday, Sept. 4. The "Oak Ridge 85," who were the first students to integrate a school in the Southeast following the U.S. Supreme Court decision on desegregation, were the parade's grand marshals.
"Scarboro 85" member L.C. "Larry" Gipson waves from a car during the Unity Parade on Saturday, Sept. 4. The "Oak Ridge 85," who were the first students to integrate a school in the Southeast following the U.S. Supreme Court decision on desegregation, were the parade's grand marshals.

Additional entertainment will include local praise dance teams, music by DJ Tony Manley and others.

The Sept. 10 event will provide social and employment resources available to the Oak Ridge community for parents and students from the Oak Ridge Police Department, UCOR, and the city of Oak Ridge. People can also learn about the upcoming election and how and when to register to vote.

Tony Manley is a native Scarboro Community member who will be providing the music for the It Takes 85 Fun Day Event honoring the Scarboro 85.
Tony Manley is a native Scarboro Community member who will be providing the music for the It Takes 85 Fun Day Event honoring the Scarboro 85.

There will be fun activities for children with balloon craft, face painting and crafts, and "bounce" activity all day, the release stated. Giveaways for children will be from 1 to 4 p.m.

For those competitive basketball participants, there will be 3 on 3 tournament and there will be a Fun Day Football Skill Challenge starting at  6 p.m. Register for all these events with John Spratling at 865-363-9759. Winners will receive prizes.

Pictured, from left, are "Scarboro 85" members L.C. Gipson, Dorothy Kirk Lewis and Eloise Mitchell at an event at Scarboro Community Center.
Pictured, from left, are "Scarboro 85" members L.C. Gipson, Dorothy Kirk Lewis and Eloise Mitchell at an event at Scarboro Community Center.

Food and other apparel vendors will be available from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Contact Vanessa Spratling at 865-556-4759 if you want to be a vendor. Cost is $85 in honor of the "Scarboro 85."

Funds raised above the operational costs will go to the Scarboro Endowment Scholarship Program supported by the Scarboro Community Alumni Association.

Volunteers are needed to man booths and provide assistance where needed.

Contract John Spratling at 865-363-9759 for additional information.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Scarboro Fun Day celebration, events set for Sept. 10