Grammy nominated crooner "Uncle" Charlie Wilson will highlight a slew of free entertainment at this year's African American Festival, organizers announced Wednesday.
The event, which takes place July 2 and 3 in the parking lot of M&T Bank Stadium, is considered one of the largest annual African-American cultural events on the east coast. The free event attracts 300,000 visitors during the two-day celebration.
"Baltimore will be the hotspot for the fourth of July weekend," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, who attended a spirited kick-off for the event Wednesday morning on the cobblestones in front of City Hall.
"The African-American festival brings together our community of families to honor our past, celebrate our accomplishments, and showcase our future," she said.
Rawlings-Blake promised more musical acts to be announced in the comming weeks in addition to Wilson, who she called one of her all-time favorite artists.
"This is another great way to introduce Baltimore to people up and down the east coast," said Rawlings-Blake.