Hundreds turned out for the Ole Grand Setting Event, a fundraiser for the Central High Museum that featured music, vintage cars, vendors and children’s games.

Held Saturday, June 22, on the grounds in front of the museum, the event is the museum’s celebration of heritage and culture and included a charity fundraising ride by more than 100 motorcyclists. The Southside Buffalo Soldiers sponsored the ride and seven of the state’s eight chapters participated, said Dearrion Snead, a member of the group.

The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club celebrates and shares the history with young people of the original Buffalo Soldiers, those black soldiers who made up the 9th and 10th Calvary of the United States Army.
The bikers support local charities and community organizations and raised $2,200 toward “the museum and its cause,” said Snead. He went on to say, “we were excited and extremely proud to help.”

The sentiment was echoed by fellow motorcycle rider Chester Davis. “We just wanted to come down here and make a donation to the cause,” he said. Davis said he’s going to suggest the club attend and support the event every year.
During a week when it has rained nearly every evening and on a day when the weather altered between overcast with the appearance of a pending rainstorm and clear skies offering up summer heat, the appearance of clouds may have discouraged some from coming out but the summer feel won out.

“Oh Lord, don’t say nothing – so glad this weather held off,” said Hezteine R. Foster, president of the museum’s board of directors.

Among those in attendance was Filmore Scott, a graduate of what was the all-black school’s last class in 1969.
“I love it,” he said, taking in the car show. “I’m having a good time, and it’s good to raise money for the museum.”
Larry Lacks agreed.

“We enjoy this,” said Lacks, accompanied by his wife, Janice Logan Lacks.

A member of the Black Jacket Cruisers motorcycle club, he came partly to see the arrival of the caravan of bikes. Larry and Janice are both riders. They had planned to leave for another event, but Lacks said by early afternoon he had changed his mind and decided to stay “because I like it.”

Some, like Rhonda Robinson, combined business and pleasure. A native of the county who lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, she manned a tent and represented Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage insurance.
“I’m seeing a lot of people I went to school with,” she said. “It’s good to see the county out.”

Housed in the remodeled building once known as the bus shop and the agriculture building, the museum is open for visits from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. the first and third Saturdays of each month.

Among its holdings are athletic team and gym uniforms, classroom instruments such as a microscope and even a water fountain.

Supporters boast that Central Museum is the only place in the county devoted exclusively to documentation of African American life, history and cultural contributions. It is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization governed by a board of directors. All gifts are tax deductible. Exhibits are displayed in a manner that tells a story from the beginning when slaves arrived in America, through the Civil Rights Movement and on to election of President Barack Hussein Obama.