| American culture is ever changing with it's unmatched | | | | people in attendance. Summer Celebration stretches |
| diversity of people and their customs. Many will argue | | | | over an 11 (eleven) day period. Events and programs |
| Football has surpassed Baseball as the favorite | | | | include: business workshops, health and wellness, |
| pastime and the Hamburger is the most popular in | | | | employment opportunities and entertainment such as |
| fast (American) food; but it remains hard to argue | | | | talent contests, boxing tournaments, celebrity and |
| against Apple Pie being inherently American. Which | | | | local entertainment. This event has become a real |
| brings up the focus of this article, the American | | | | mecca for many Family Reunion planners in the USA. |
| Family Reunion is one of the fastest growing | | | | Many families are creating their own expo's of events |
| traditions in the USA. Polls indicate more than 200,000 | | | | and activities, using today's technology to create |
| families of 50 or more persons will hold reunions this | | | | web sites with a online newsletter and registration. |
| year. Most Reunions (57%) are organized to keep | | | | Some Reunions have organized family chapters, |
| people in touch; while (30%) want children to learn | | | | family officers and by laws. Others have formed |
| about their family heritage. Typically Reunions start | | | | Family Reunion foundations. While strengthening |
| on Friday and last through Sunday, though some | | | | family bonds remain high priority, families are filling |
| families stay longer, One whole week is not unusual; | | | | other needs like awarding college scholarships and |
| especially when family members must travel long | | | | hosting health fairs with free screenings to family |
| distances longer stays make the trip worthwhile. In | | | | members. Some Families are using DNA testing to |
| some cases families will rent out entire hotels for the | | | | trace and validate their ancestors. Family reunions |
| duration of the reunion. In 1990 the Cincinnati visitors | | | | have become more than back yard cookout at Aunt |
| bureau estimated that 200,000 people at the black | | | | DeShields house. Today they have become more |
| family reunion in the city spent an average of 93.00 | | | | organized, and furthermore recognized for their |
| per person, bringing in some 18.6 million dollars to the | | | | economic contribution in America. "Yes family reunions |
| area. Pamela Gilbert, director of sales with a Holiday | | | | are more popular than ever according to a survey |
| Inn in Orlando Florida said We expect 2,000 to 3,000 | | | | from the American Society of Travel Agents and |
| room nights this summer, at about 60.00 per night, | | | | Families want to spend time with loved ones and |
| would come to 150,000. Marc Michaelson of Motel 6 | | | | creat new family tradition at Family Reunions. Family |
| said for the last 2 summers 20 percent of the | | | | Reunions are a great opportunity to savor history, |
| companies advertising budget has been targeted at | | | | mend fences and build bridges. Surely, the ability to |
| family reunions. In 1986 the National Council of Negro | | | | understand the past has a lesson for all of us. |
| Women organized a celebration weekend with | | | | America is in the midst of a Family Reunion boom. |
| activities coupled with Family Reunions, the aim was | | | | People are searching for and finding who they are, |
| to strengthen black families and emphasize tradition | | | | while embracing and celebrating their culture. Families |
| and culture. Originally started in Washington D.C. , the | | | | gathering together celebrating their roots and |
| event has expanded to seven cities : Washington, | | | | ancestors and encouraging each other while facing |
| Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Memphis | | | | todays challenges. "When you know where you |
| and Atlanta. More than 6 million people have attended | | | | come from, it's easier to see where your going". |
| these events from 1986 to 1992. Indiana Black Expo | | | | Chris A. Barber: My wife, Laurie, and I operate |
| (IBE) of Indianapolis, Indiana has become a pillar of | | | | Cacprintwear an internet screen printing, embroidery, |
| the central Indiana community for 38 years. IBE | | | | and promotional products company that serves: |
| boasts the largest African American event in the | | | | Businesses, Schools, Churches, and events. |
| nation, it is a Summer Celebration with over 300,000 | | | | |