Cherry Hill Arts and Music Waterfront Festival returns for eighth year

By Aria BrentAFRO Staff Writerabrent@afro.com On July 4 South Baltimore’s Cherry Hill neighborhood put community and culture on full display with the Cherry Hill Arts and Music Waterfront Festival.For nearly a decade the festival has been shining a light on the many contributions Black people have made to the arts, all the while showing off their southside pride.The event is still full of family-friendly fun, interactive and educational activities and of course, fireworks.& Members of the gospel group R.E.I.G.N. bring a message of peace and hope to those gathered for the Cherry Hill Arts and Music Waterfront Festival. (AFRO photo / Alexis Taylor) “This is my fourth or fifth year coming,” said Charles Dugger, a retired school teacher and community activist. “They like me to come and talk about Kwanzaa. We try to use the principles in everyday life.”& Dugger spoke on how vital the festival is in bringing the city together.& “We have to find a common denominator,” he said. “I used to teach in this community long ago and we try to say that we are more alike than different.”& Similar sentiments were expressed by Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman.& “I never miss the Cherry Hill Arts and Music...