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Let the fun shine

Free Press staff report | 12/1/2022, 6 p.m.
A blast from the past ignited Richmond’s East End last weekend during theArmstrong-Walker Football Classic Legacy Project festivities.
Dr. Leonard L. Edloe, right, grand marshal of the Armstrong-Walker Football Classic Legacy Project Parade, waves to parade-goers along Mechanicsville Turnpike last Saturday. Dr. Edloe is the 2022 president of the Virginia Pharmacists Association. Photo by Regina H. Boone

A blast from the past ignited Richmond’s East End last weekend during theArmstrong-Walker Football Classic Legacy Project festivities.

Featuring a parade, pee wee football, alumnae cheerleaders and former football players and tailgating, of course, there was something for everyone.

Smiles and laughs were abundant as parade watchers, neighbors and friends gathered to show their love for Richmond’s two formerly all Black high schools – Armstrong and Maggie L. Walker.

Armstrong High School alumnae cheerleaders, including retired NBC-12 anchor and Richmond native Diane Walker, center, wave to parade attendees as they make their way along Mechanicsville Turnpike during the second Armstrong-Walker Football Classic Legacy Project Parade last Saturday.

Photo by Regina H. Boone

Armstrong High School alumnae cheerleaders, including retired NBC-12 anchor and Richmond native Diane Walker, center, wave to parade attendees as they make their way along Mechanicsville Turnpike during the second Armstrong-Walker Football Classic Legacy Project Parade last Saturday.

Michelle Johnson Fischer, a Maggie Walker High School Class of 1977 cheerleader, joined other alumnae cheerleaders, during The Armstrong-Walker Football Classic Legacy Project parade along Mechanicsville Turnpike last Saturday.

Photo by Regina H. Boone

Michelle Johnson Fischer, a Maggie Walker High School Class of 1977 cheerleader, joined other alumnae cheerleaders, during The Armstrong-Walker Football Classic Legacy Project parade along Mechanicsville Turnpike last Saturday.

Maggie Walker alumni greet former Maggie Walker homecoming queens near Armstrong High School during the Armstrong-Walker Class Legacy Parade last Saturday.

Photo by Sandra Sellars

Maggie Walker alumni greet former Maggie Walker homecoming queens near Armstrong High School during the Armstrong-Walker Class Legacy Parade last Saturday.

Gilbert Carter, left, whose father attended Maggie Walker and mother attended Armstrong, is on grill duty at the tailgating event.

Photo by Sandra Sellars

Gilbert Carter, left, whose father attended Maggie Walker and mother attended Armstrong, is on grill duty at the tailgating event.

10u football players went all out in the 2nd Annual Armstrong-Walker Football Classic Legacy game. Walker was represented by the RVA Trojans and Armstrong was represented by the RVA Wildcats and Falcons. Walker won the 10u game 6-0.

Photo by Sandra Sellars

10u football players went all out in the 2nd Annual Armstrong-Walker Football Classic Legacy game. Walker was represented by the RVA Trojans and Armstrong was represented by the RVA Wildcats and Falcons. Walker won the 10u game 6-0.

The party started with an early morning parade on Mosby Street. Parade floats included artifacts and memorabilia from both schools, providing a history lesson about the schools’ 40-year historic rivalry from 1938-1978. Once the parade ended at Armstrong High School on Cool Lane, alumni and friends caught up on old times by greeting one another or sharing the latest news.

Participants also took in a custom and antique car show in Armstrong’s parking lot, along with grilling, eating and more. 10u football players went all out in the 2nd Annual Armstrong-Walker Football Classic. Walker was represented by the RVA Trojans and Armstrong was represented by the RVA Wildcats and Falcons. Walker won the 10u game 6-0.

Founded by the late Cary Mitchell, the Armstrong-Walker Football Classic Legacy Project began in 2021. The project’s current president is Greta J. Randolph.

Donations to support future annual events celebrating The Armstrong-Walker Football Classic Legacy Project may be made at the website: www.awfootballclassic.com/

A special exhibition about both schools runs until tomorrow at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia.