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NEWS BRIEFS
Festival celebrates community, helps D.C. Express Youth League
DeAsia Tubbs, left, and Kiarra Smith of 304 Lady Swag perform a dance routine during the talent show of the Fairfield 2010 Festival on Saturday, July 31, 2010, at the A.D. Lewis Community Center in Huntington.
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HUNTINGTON -- Marshall University basketball player Damier Pitts didn't grow up in Huntington, but on Saturday, he treated it like his hometown.
Pitts, along with teammates Shaquille Johnson, DeAndre Kane and Antonio Haymon, participated in the Fairfield 2010 Festival at the A.D. Lewis Community Center.
The event, presented by Grind Hard Entertainment, included inflatables, a talent show, concessions and a two-on-two basketball tournament. A portion of the proceeds went to the D.C. Express Youth League and its cheerleaders.
"It's always good to go out and support the kids," Pitts said. "They kind of look up to us."
Pitts recalled growing up in Charlotte, N.C., playing ball at the boys club. He said there was always someone taking the time to give tips on the game and life.
That's another reason why David Wade II, owner of Grind Hard Entertainment, helped organize the event.
"It's something for the community to do, to contribute to the Fairfield community and the A.D. Lewis Center," he said.
They provided gift certificates for the basketball event and the fashion show, along with an autographed basketball by a New York Knicks player.
"It's my way of giving back to the community and to the kids," Wade said.
Gary Turner, president of the D.C. Youth League, said he and the kids appreciate the assistance. The league, which starts Monday evening, draws 125 to 140 boys between 6 and 12 years old and another 65 cheerleaders. The registration fee is $45 for the football league and $25 for the cheerleaders. The football league provides all the equipment and the kids get to keep their jerseys.
It might not seem expensive, but Turner said there is certainly a need. And, he added, the league is a vital tool for educating kids about teamwork, motivation and leadership.
Signups will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2, at the A.D. Lewis Center, 1450 A.D. Lewis Ave., with practice immediately following.
Turner said signups will take place all week, as will practices. The first games are Saturday, Aug. 7, starting at 10 a.m. There league is divided into a five age divisions, he said.
