Keepin’ Comin’ Home revives memories of East Side’s historic past

 

 

By Felix Hoover

For Your News Columbus

July 31, 2010

 

Antoine Holloway fueled his Kawasaki ZX-9 before moving out with the Ruff Ryders motorcyclists toward the front of the Keepin’ Comin’ Home Unity Festival parade Saturday morning.

 

The parade, which passed by landmarks on Mount Vernon Avenue and E. Long Street, featured high school bands, cheerleaders, candidates for political office, public servants, antique cars and at least one person on horseback.

 

Holloway said the parade was but one way he gives back to the community. He often plays basketball with young men whom he encourages to get their education and become positive forces in their neighborhoods.

 

Brandon Swayne followed his daughter Brooklynn, a cheerleader for East High School A third generation of the family, Brandon’s father, Jerry, was a spectator as well.

 

Through the years, a lot of people have stopped at buildings on Long Street owned by Jerry Robertson. One used to house Frazier’s Fish Market, at 1020 E. Long; another was the Near East Side headquarters for the Obama presidential campaign, at 1005 E. Long.

 

The latter location housed a different type event Saturday, a yard sale.

 

Robertson said he and relatives didn’t realize the parade and other activities of the two-day Keepin’ Comin’ Home would be taking place when they initially planned the yard sale.

 

Several business owners watched the parade, including the Rev. Napoleon Kee of Sir Mr. Kee’s Beauty Shop and Charity Martin-Via of Urban Spirit.

 

Rain interrupted part of the activity on Saturday, but once it stopped, patrons strolled at their own pace along the traditional heart of black Columbus. This year’s event offers a schedule of events on Saturday and Sunday.