The scent of chicken-on-a-stick, funnel cakes, shea butter and polish sausage dogs floated in the air. Performers on two different stages battled for attention from the crowds. African drums pounded while gospel singers praised God and cd players blasted up and down Water Avenue.

Thousands walked the street, shopping from vendors selling everything from jewelry to purses, all celebrating the 40th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.

The festival like atmosphere allowed Selma residents and tourists to bring their children out to enjoy the warm, sunny weather and honor the city’s history.

Markho Strong, an artist with the group Black Phoak, performed on the city’s hip-hop stage. He said he thought the event was wonderful.

“It’s beautiful,” he said. “The whole idea is just beautiful.”

Organizers expect that at the end, this year will be the biggest Jubilee celebration ever.

Headquartered at the National Voting Rights Museum, volunteers and staffers stayed in motion constantly, while people came in to experience the city’s history.

Sherry Mitchell, a volunteer this year, said she thought the event went well.

“It’s nice. I think all the people came out and supported us,” she said.

While the entertainment featured big names like Li’l Scrappy and Syleena Johnson, attendees could also participate in a little celebrity spotting.

Chuck D. , of the rap group Public Enemy drove in from his home in Atlanta to attend.

“I came down here on a half whim,” he said. “Why not? This is an obligation for me. I have to do this.”

While in town, Chuck D. participated in the annual Hip-Hop summit at the Slavery and Civil War Museum.

Phillip Loch, a celebrity stylist who appears regularly on VH1, came into town with Vivica A. Fox.

Loch said he was using the event to do research on a movie he’s writing. He said he visited the town before, and became friends with event organizers.

“I believe in the cause,” he said.

Visiting Selma, Loch said, opened up his eyes to the unsung heros of the Movement.

“It’s really been exciting,” he said. “It’s about all the people. It’s really grassroots.”

The Rev. Jesse Jackson showed up late in the night, and paid an unscheduled visit to the Voting Rights Museum.

Jackson was in town for the Freedom Flame awards later that night, but felt he needed to pay his respects at the museum first, according to his staff.

“We thought it would be appropriate,” Butch Ving, a member of Jackson’s staff said. “You learn something every time.”

While Jackson may have been in town to learn, he also took the chance to reinforce his commitment to democracy in America.

Jackson said recent events have shined a light on President George Bush’s lack of commitment to the Voting Right’s Act.

“There is less and less commitment by this administration to enforce Sections 2 and 5 of the Voting Right’s Act,” he said. “While we’re fighting for democracy in Iraq the President is hedging on democracy at home.”

As the day went on, the event went off without any serious problems. A small fight between two females did occur, but police had the incident under control in a moments notice.

Selma Police Detective Curtis Muhannad said overall, the day was quiet.

“It’s going fine so far,” he said in the afternoon. “It’s good seeing the people out.”

A lot of attendees praised the event.

Cedric Taner, a 24-year-old Selma resident, said Jubilee was a nice thing for the community.

“Everybody’s having a good time,” he said, “being civil, celebrating Civil Rights.”

Shanika Shannon, a 22-year-old, brought her two-year-old son Christian to the event.

“I come every year,” she said. “I think it’s great. It’s very educational.”

For Shannon, the event was even more special, because of the role her grandmother played during the Movement.

“My grandmother was a part of the first march,” she said. “It’s a big thing to us.”

Visitors to Selma were excited about the experience too.

Ethel Powell, from Talladega, has been attending Jubilee for several years.

“I like the atmosphere,” she said.

It also serves as a reminder of the Voting Rights Struggle, Powell said.

“It brings back memories of Bloody Sunday,” she said.

Connye Kimbrough, of Mobile, said she was originally from Selma, and remembers the events surrounding Bloody Sunday.

“I was in Montgomery when the marchers got there,” she said. “(Jubilee)’s a real special time.”

Outside of the street celebration, visitors were also able to attend workshops and other events going on throughout the city that are expected to continue through today and the rest of the week.

Eventually, the smell of chicken faded, and the crowds got quiet as tired people went home.

Joann Bland, one of the event’s organizer and director of the Voting Rights Museum, was one of the many staffers and volunteers taking a break as the festivities wound down.

Littering the floor of the museum, several of the young volunteers dozed, exhausted from the day’s work.

Bland said she enjoyed herself, but was glad the day was over.

“I’m tired,” she said.