Unveiling Ceremony for The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center: Luminaria, Harmony of Light, To Celebrate the Unlimited Power of One

A solemn procession of 3,000+, starting at sundown and led by Luminaria, Harmony of Light, will open the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in a tableau of light -- much like the original beacons of abolition called to freedom seekers crossing the Ohio River. The Luminarias goal is building better, stronger communities using the best in each of us. Volunteers are still needed for this historic, international event that will feature famous faces from across the country.

CINCINNATI, OH (PRWEB) August 20, 2004 -- The grand opening of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center next week, one of the largest ceremonies in the history of the United States, will celebrate perhaps the purest ideal ever conceived by man -- freedom -- by focusing on the power, the intellect, and the unlimited potential of the individual.

The ceremony to unveil the Freedom Center will attract governors, prime ministers, dignitaries, superstars and esteemed citizenry from all corners of the globe. And yet, when a solemn procession estimated at more than 3,000 advances to inaugurate the facility, it will start in the grip of a single torch, lit by two children. One child will be black; one will be white. They will in turn light the candles of six other children, each representing one distinct race in Gods glorious potpourri of mankind.

Thats the essence of community. And freedom is what binds us as communities," said Thomas Courtney, executive director of Luminaria, Harmony of Light. Our mission is the unification of all ethnic backgrounds, which is why the Freedom Center opening is a perfect backdrop for our contribution. The lighting of each candle symbolizes the power of change, change that is made one person at a time."

From the children, the procession will emerge, as the Freedom Flame is passed along to thousands. Luminaria, Harmony of Light, was formed as a community response to Cincinnatis racial riots of April 2001. Through the imagery of candles, light and the individual, the organization seeks to establish a tradition of illumination in neighborhoods across the country. The symbol of light, like the beacon of higher intelligence, after all, calls upon both individual achievement and the human race as a collaborative entity to achieve a healthy society.

Luminaria Lights The Way

When the unconscionable thief known as "slavery" migrated to America, it took hundreds of years to defeat, while claiming hundreds of thousands of American and African lives. Through it all, the men, women and children who suffered the worst kept a vision of light forever etched in their minds: freedom, just north of the Ohio River.

To honor those, the individuals whose flight to freedom delivered them along the famed Underground Railroad, Luminaria is organizing more than 3,000 volunteers, 100 Everyday Freedom Heroes, 12 representatives from National Park Freedom Cities and thousands of others to line the estimated one-mile route over the Ohio River from Covington to Cincinnati, memorializing an era that many in this country would like to forget. Theyll be joined by:
-   Official representatives from the State of Ohio, State of Kentucky, City of Cincinnati, City of Covington and every branch of the U.S. military;
-   1,000 flag-bearers representing nations from all over the globe;
-   Assorted bands, dancers, musicians, drummers, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, youth groups and a 300-piece vocal choir.

At 8:00 p.m. on Monday night, Aug. 23, light will push back the darkness, and a ceremony will become a celebration as a nation finally recognizes the horror, indignity and degradation of human slavery.

Mission Quite Possible: Illumination

Luminaria is leading the organizational charge for the parade and lighting of the Freedom Flame, which will mark the official dedication of the Freedom Center. Luminaria seeks to engage itself, and its horde of volunteers, through events led by local leaders and families who want to make a difference in their own neighborhoods. For this gig, they need a lot of local hands.

The torch will pass from Covington to Cincinnati by 600 volunteers on the historic Roebling Suspension Bridge. Once it passes into Cincinnati, it will proceed to center stage at the Freedom Center. All told, at least 3,000 volunteers will be involved; the grand total could be much larger with public participation.

Luminarias mission is to establish a tradition of illuminating communities throughout the year, signifying the unification of all ethnic backgrounds in Greater Cincinnati. Its vision is childrens education and development in leadership, the arts and community service.

Volunteers Still Needed!

In the spirit of the Freedom Center, almost the entire event has been a volunteer-inspired affair. Luminaria is still actively recruiting volunteers for the event for a host of duties such as procession participants, building Luminaria candle bags, distributing the Luminarias, providing hospitality services (refreshments) for volunteers and attendees and ... everyones favorite, of course: cleanup duty.

The big night starts at 7:30 p.m. at Riverside Drive and Scott Boulevard in Covington, with the kids kicking off the Freedom Flame at 8:00. It concludes with fireworks at 10 p.m. Come join us, wont you?

Contact:
Thomas Courtney
Luminaria, Harmony of Light
(513) 616-0407
thomas@lifesuccessseminars.com
www.luminariaharmonyoflight.org

Press Contact:
Andie Bernard
The BG Group
859.392.3134
abernard@bgwork.com

Volunteer Contact (We Still Need You!):
Ron Padgett
Luminaria, Harmony of Light
volunteers@luminariaharmonyoflight.org

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