Members of the Heavy Hitterz Dance Team add excitement to parade and other festivities during the third annual Armstrong Walker Football Classic Legacy Project on Saturday Nov. 25.
An alumni celebration, tailgating, vendors, and a game played by Richmond Community Center 10U players that represented the past rivalry between Armstrong and Maggie Walker high schools were among the Nov. 24-25 weekend highlights during the 3rd Annual Armstrong-Walker Football Classic Legacy Project. The six-week celebration kicked off in October with an exhibit at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia. “The Legacy and Soul of Our Community: 40 Years of the Armstrong Walker Classic” featured memorabilia and artifacts from the legendary, long-standing local high school football rivalry (1938–1978) between Armstrong and Maggie Walker high schools. Artifacts on loan for the exhibit included photos and films that span the 40-year history of the rivalry between the two schools, which broke attendance records with crowds of upward of 40,000 people at City Stadium, according to organizers. Other weekend events included a dedication of the Lou Anderson Stadium at John Marshall High School, a reception at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, the Armstrong-Walker Hall of Fame Banquet at Armstrong High School and an Hour of Power Sunday service in the Armstrong High School auditorium.
Richmond Public Schools Board Chair Stephanie Rizzi and Vice Chair Cheryl Burke enjoyed the Armstrong-Walker parade celebration.
Creighton Court Community Center cheerleaders representing Armstrong High School give a shout.
Reflections of historic and memorable businesses and residents that once occupied the Gilpin and Jackson Ward communities are featured on the exterior of the Baker Senior Apartments at 100 W. Baker St. near Downtown.
William Ford “Bill” McGee’s triplet grandsons Kameron, Jordan and Sean Crawley-McGee turned 14 on Nov. 12, nearly four weeks after Deirdre Harris’ triplet daughters Kali’Co, Keri’Co and Koh’Co Robinson turned 10.
The two sets of triplets know one another, and Mr. McGee, a Richmond-based educator and trumpeter, has chronicled his grandsons’ development and growth on social media, further delighting his fan base.
“One of the things that Itold them is that God has a reason for all three of you to be here,” Mr. McGee told the Free Press. “When you learn to work as a team, you will be unstoppable.’”
Fallen foliage in the West End