This Memorial Day weekend, visit downtown Selma for some praise and worship and a little taste of international flair. The city of Selma will hold “Unity In the Community” on May 26 at noon inside Phoenix Park and along Water Avenue. Admission is $1 and free food and beverages will also be available.

Spearheaded by Selma city councilmen Sam Randolph and Corey Bowie, this first-time event will showcase music from choirs and groups and vendors, representing multiple countries.

“We wanted to unify the city and include everyone from all ethnicities … this is a time we worship and enjoy one another,” Bowie said. “(And) being that it’s Memorial Day weekend, we have a lot to be thankful for … we have some vendors going to set up samples from native countries; all funds will go to Edmundite Missions.”

Bowie, who said he also discussed the idea for the event with council secretary Temekia Sykes and Department of Planning and Development’s Derrell Alexander, said he wanted to do both music and something international “simultaneously.”

“We’re asking choirs and groups to sing … we���re asking for an A and B selection,” Bowie said. “We would like to invite Selma-Dallas County out for a day of praise and international food. This is the first time, but we’re looking forward to it.”

Sykes said many vendors have already signed on to participate. She hopes the event will be well received by the public.

“We have some choirs but we’re hoping by deadline (May 17), to get more and some groups also,” Sykes said.

Randolph, who came up with the “international” theme, said the event is also a way to be open-minded about other cultures.

“In Selma, we have a lot of history in our town among foreign citizens, so we wanted to let them know we appreciate them in our community,” Randolph said. “In Selma, we eat conventional food, so we wanted to taste a part of their culture, their culinary foods. Even though we might have our differences … we are all Selmians, (and) we need to come together.”

There is still time to participate. To register as a choir, group or vendor, please call 874-1234 or 874-2111 by May 17.