Spectacular Entertainment, Fireworks and Food On Chester's Waterfront

Imagine an evening of pure bliss, that consisted of hot, soul searching music by #Johnny Gill, Evelyn Champagne King, Kindred, and the Family Soul, along with numerous other phenomenal artists. There was also delicious food, spectacular fireworks and joyous participants that partied into the night. Chester, Pennsylvania's Riverfront Ramble, held on Saturday, September 24th, was an impressive event. The city's motto, as expressed by #Mayor Wendell Butler, "What Chester makes, makes Chester," exuded throughout the day as a source of pure pride. Thousands relaxed under the gray painted clouds, that never developed into the rain. A cool breeze flowed from the Delaware River, during the day right into this spectacular evening. During intermissions, people danced to such significant hits as, #Firecracker, Pump Up the Volume and Cupid Shuffle. This event was the epitome of pure and innocent fun.

Chester's Riverfront Ramble also consisted of helpful information for its residents. Some vendors focused on such issues as dental care, through Dentex, a mobile unit that offered free exams and suggestions for treatment. We met Arlene Stewart-Mingo, a very intense Community Program Developer for Chip, which is one of Pennsylvania's Children Health Insurance Programs. She expressed concern that more than 50,000 children are without insurance within the Philadelphia area. They want to make sure kids get the coverage they need. #ChesPenn Health Services offered information concerning, pediatric and adult health care, social services, community education regarding such significant issues as #bullying, men and depression, how to #stop the violence, social aggression, along with numerous other health care concerns.

Pennsylvania Resources Council was also available to offer information on resource conservation with particular emphasis on waste reduction, litter prevention, watershed education, recycling and composting to solve environmental problems. Jimmy Johnson and members of Chester's Fire Department, had a mobile unit on site filled with smoke which allowed children and willing adults to experience things you should and should not do, during a fire. The children were extremely excited about this fire prevention practice, as they went through the unit and got back in line to try it again. Chester's Police Department was adequately represented, in case of emergencies as well as for the maintenance of security for the event. Not one major incident occurred which made Chester's residents feel a little more secure. During the program, the police department acknowledged that crime was decreasing within the city. The department received fewer calls regarding violence from about fifty-four thousand, down to about thirty-eight thousand. There was a source of pride from the residents, as well as the police department about these statistics.

The event had an impressive array of sumptuous food from local vendors. A barbecue cook-off occurred, awards for some of the delectable food was available for sale. Pit Magic, was the winner of this contest. Cheryl's Southern Style Restaurant & Catering, had delicious turkey wings, with macaroni and cheese, collard greens, yams, and Hawaiian sweet tea. Charlie B's BBQ, owned and operated by Carl Everett, had slow cooked ribs that melted in your mouth. Catering services with the mouth-watering Caribbean, Italian, Vegan, and Soul Foods by Maria Randolph & Daughters, Glenn's Soul Food and April's Too. Chanel Emmenes and Asia Chaney, along with her six children, displayed an array of desserts from Sweet Nelly's, as they dressed in pink t-shirts; advertising the business during this event. Numerous other vendors were available with floral arrangements by Ros Creation Or Create Your Own. Affordable and Historical Art was available for sale, featuring the most extensive, unique collection of rare and hard to find African American historical art prints, from Darlene Dancy. The variety of vendors depicted an excellent foundation as examples for future entrepreneurs.

The culmination of Chester's River Front Ramble, involved the captivating voice of #Evelyn Champagne King, as she performed such hits as Betcha She Don't Love You, Love Come Down, I'm In Love and #Shame. She went on to explain while vacuuming on her job, as she sang one of #Sam Cooke's songs, discovery occurred. Evelyn then graciously explained that she was fifty-one years old, although she moved around the stage as though a teenager. She has been married for more than twenty years to Freddie Fox. They recorded a hit from the past by Frankie Beverly entitled, Happy Feeling which is their newest release. Her performance was a plethora of pure talent and skill.

Before the final headlining act by Johnny Gill, a spectacular performance of fireworks where participants danced off of such oldies as, Before I Let You Go, Like Candy, It Takes Two To Make A Good Thing Go Right, Joy and Pain as well as the infamous Firecracker. I watched three-year-old Shaheem, enjoy the fireworks as they exploded majestically in the air. His smile was bright and stare unyielding. Watching Shaheem, brought flashes of childhood excitement to my thoughts as we both watched the fireworks with amazement.

Finally, Johnny Gill came out with his powerful, sexy voice that brought the audience to their feet. He sang many of his hits including, There You Go, which sent the women into a frenzy of screams and tears. Johnny Gill then came off the stage for the remainder of his showdown into the audience where Gill sang love songs and threw teddy bears, roses and kisses to screaming fans. Their jubilation gave him a source of pure satisfaction as he returned to the stage and disappeared. Johnny Gill's performance was an excellent closure for the evening's events. "What Chester makes "indeed did make Chester during this 2011, Ramble on the Riverfront. Imagine a free family event that brought residents together, without any significant act of violence, where even a three-year-old could maintain his innocence. Good job, Chester officials as well as its residents. We anticipate what the Ramble will be like next year and in the future.