Residents from throughout the community — of many different races, nations and creeds — came together for a celebration of unity with food and fun.

The first ever Unity in the Community was held Saturday at Phoenix Park on Water Avenue.

Spearheaded by Selma City Ward 5 councilmember Sam Randolph and Ward 8 councilmember Corey Bowie, the event brought together the community for a taste of international foods including Korean, foods from Trinidad, Lebanon, India, Mexico and Brazil among others, as well as music and entertainment.

The entry fee was $1, with all funds going to the Edmundite Missions.

Bowie said the event was created to promote unity amongst all of Selma’s people.

“Selma is a melting pot, and what we’re trying to do is bring Water Avenue alive, and what better way to bring Water Avenue alive than bringing all different nationalities — not only different nationalities, but black and white — together,” Bowie said. “That’s what we’re trying to market Selma as now is just one, united Selma, and in order for us to move forward we’re going to have to move forward together.”

Bowie said he was pleased with the crowd and that while this is the first attempt at such an event in Selma, it won’t be the last, as he hopes to make it bigger and better next year.

Attendees were pleased with the atmosphere and diverse offering of food.

“I love gatherings. I get to meet people, I enjoy meeting people and I enjoy my children most of all,” said Mae Frances Brown. “The gathering is good for each and every one of us, and the food is dynamic.”

Andrea Cross, who also attended the event, said she wanted to support such a positive event in Selma, and she enjoyed Unity in the Community.

“I live in Selma and I try to support all of its positive activities, and this is the first of the international events so it seemed like a good thing to do on a beautiful day to bring all of our citizens of Selma together,” Cross said. “It’s wonderful. The music has been good, there’s fantastic foods.

“For $1 just to come in and the money going to a charitable cause in Selma meant a lot. And you can eat all the food you want,” Cross said. “These wonderful vendors that have come here to share their culture … it’s just been a pleasure to see how everyone has come together and contributed to this event today.”