Down by the Riverside

Overview

Down by the Riverside: Honoring Our Ancestors
Date: Sunday, November 2, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM – Until
Location: Horace King Overlook, Front Street / Riverfront Park, Albany, GA
Join us for our beloved biannual community gathering, Down by the Riverside — a sacred celebration in honor of our ancestors and their enduring legacy.
We begin with a community procession from the courthouse to the river, where we come together in reverence and remembrance. At the riverbank, we will hold a drum ceremony, pour libation, lift up prayers, and offer herbs and fruit to the water as a symbolic act of gratitude and connection to those who walked before us.
This year’s ceremony will include a traditional Ring Shout dance, uplifting music, and spoken word poetry, creating a powerful space of cultural remembrance and joy. After the ceremony, we will break bread together and share food as a community — just as our ancestors once gathered in spirit and strength.
What to Bring:
• Comfortable clothing for walking/procession
• An offering of fresh herbs, fruit, or flowers (optional)
• A spirit of reverence, joy, and community
All are welcome to join in this celebration of life, legacy, and liberation.