The 22nd annual African American Culture and History Festival parade filled the streets of Charles Town and Ranson Saturday as bands, fire trucks, motorcycles and other marchers took part in the August event. Leading off the parade was Company B, a group of re-enactors representing the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, an all-black infantry in the Civil War.

The four middle schools in the county combined forces as they played. Washington High and Jefferson High’s marching bands demonstrated their expertise at different intervals in the parade route. Shown are members of Jefferson’s band and color guard.

Shepherdstown Fire Department proudly drove one of their trucks in the parade as Honorary Fire Chief Aaliyah Rice waved to spectators along the parade route.

The African American Culture and Heritage Festival continued throughout the weekend sharing history and events to educate attendees on the past.