Front Royal Hosts 5th Annual NAACP ‘Hope & Holiness Gospel Fest’

Saturday, September 12, 2026, the day after the quarter-century remembrance of the 9/11, 2001 terrorist aerial assault on New York City’s World Trade Center, the Town of Front Royal in Warren County, Virginia, hosted its fifth annual NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) “Reaching Hearts Gospel Fest”.

From the Town website was this summary of the event: “We’re bringing our community together for a day of live gospel music, crafts, and family fun — and we’d love for you to join us. Whether you stay for a song or the whole afternoon, this event is all about celebrating hope, harmony, and the heart of what makes Warren County special.”

The event was centered at the Gazebo-anchored community park at the intersection of East Main and Chester Streets from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Event graphic from Town of Front Royal website — the bottom line, literally, for the event was ‘Every Heart Counts, Every Soul Matters’.

An online search led to this summary of the history of the NAACP:

“National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization.

“Overview and Purpose: Founded February 12, 1909, in response to continuing racial violence and lynchings against Black Americans.

Founders: An interracial group of activists, including W.E.B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells, and Mary White Ovington.

“Mission: To secure a society where all people have equal rights and to eliminate race-based discrimination.

“Key Activities, Legal Action: Used the court system to challenge segregation, notably winning the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case.Lobbying: Campaigned for federal civil rights laws, voting rights, and anti-lynching legislation.

“Advocacy: Works to ensure political, educational, social, and economic equality.”

Local NAACP official Gene Killby, left, and Reverend Harold Brown take a break during setup to accommodate the Royal Examiner photographer. Below, Nikki DeNeal, left, and Janet Timbers are ready to open their event paraphernalia and informational table. Royal Examiner Photos: Roger Bianchini

And with that historical resume and scheduled afternoon of a Gospel-tinged musical foundation in Front Royal’s Historic Downtown reflecting the positive personal and cultural contributions of black Americans in post slavery America, who could resist staying for at least a little of what was being offered in the name of cultural unity and racial harmony this September 2026 weekend?

Below are event photos, including musical and dance performers, event officials, co-sponsors, among others:

Dr. Diane Newman-Shannon takes the point in oustanding musical presentation along with the band Edified set up in the Gazebo behind her. The crowd, like this reporter, appeared spellbound by the performance.

The Hope & Holiness Worship Center, as noted on moderator Pastor Shannon Roman’s shirt, sponsored the event, along with Mormon Sisters Hazel Clark (left) and Bree Buchanan. The final of these 3 photos shows Pastor Roman introducing area NAACP official Gene Kilby to kick off the event.

Our final set of shots shows members of one of the performing dance groups, including two flashing the ‘V’ for Victory sign in the Gospel Fest’s battle against racism and all forms of bigotry. Below them is the event opening Invocation presenter, Diamond Diamond, and our final shot is of the event’s Ending Prayer led by Hope & Holiness Church Pastor Ricardo Roman, left.