PADUCAH – Each year, the August 8 celebration in Paducah celebrates the end of slavery in the United States.
The 2022 Year of the Man-themed celebrations kick off Wednesday with an open house at the WC Young Community Center and a family skate night at Kingsway Skateland.
The open house at the WC Young Center starts at 6:00 p.m. and the family skating night is from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The center is located at 505 8th St. in Paducah.
Events will be held each day through August 8, including a back-to-school dance and block party, an emancipation dance and men’s fashion show, a parade, and more.
The WC Young Center announced the official schedule for this year’s August 8 celebration in June. Check out the schedule below for more details, including times and locations.
In addition to these events, a Homecoming Fish Fry will be held at the Hotel Metropolitan on Friday, August 5 at 11am. homemade coleslaw, chow chow and cornbread, and homemade kidney beans with country ham. Dessert and drinks will also be available. Orders can be called at 270-994-17-83 or 270-519-5133. The Hotel Metropolitan is located on Oscar Cross Ave. 724 in Paducah
For more information and updates on the August 8 events, visit WC Young Community Center Events group on Facebook.
WC Young Center 2022 August 8 Celebration Schedule:
Wednesday 3 August
- open house
- Time: 6 p.m
- Location: WC Young Community Center
- Family skate night
- Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m
- Location: Kingsway Skateland - 3430 Wayne Sullivan Drive
Thursday, August 4th
- Back to school street dance
- Adult block party
- Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m
- Location: WC Young Community Center
Friday 5 August
- Emancipation Dance and All Male Fashion Strut
- Cocktail Hour: 7:30pm to 8:00pm
- Dance: 8:30 p.m. to midnight
- Location: Walker Hall Event Center - 229 Madison St.
- fried fish
- Location: WC Young Community Center parking lot
Saturday August 6th
- parade
- Time: Lineup starts at 9am; Parade starts at 11am
- Location: Begins at 13th and Broadway St., ends at Robert Coleman Park
- Entrance fee: $25
- Time: Noon to 9 p.m
- Activities include: vendors, reunion tailgates, youth activities and entertainment
- Big House Gaines Basketball Clinic
- Location: Robert Coleman Park
- Activities include: Free Throw Tournament, 3 Point Tournament, 3v3 Tournament by Adam Cole; Medals will be awarded and Bizzy Banks will be the host
park activities
Sunday 7 August
- Salute to the Gospel
- Time: 4 p.m
- Location: Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church – 1201 S 8th St.
- Celebration in the park
- Time: 1pm to dusk
- Location: Robert Coleman Park
Monday, August 8th
- emancipation breakfast
- Time: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m
- Location: WC Young Community Center
- Breakfast is eaten in or take away.