There is always something interesting to do in Middle Georgia. After fourteen years the brand new space for the Tubman African American Museum opens its doors this weekend. Y-O Lattimore, director of Poetic Peace Arts in Macon has the details of all the events surrounding the opening.

Y-O's List:
We’ve been waiting 14 years for the new Tubman Museum to open. It’s been a long time coming, but the wait has been worth it. The Tubman Museum is transitioning from an 8,500 square foot building to a 49,000 square foot structure. The advantage to having such a large facility is the ability to showcase more traveling exhibits and ones from their stored inventory. Plus, the beautiful architecture and design of the new Tubman Museum attracts folks to book the facility for special events like banquets, conferences and workshops.

The Tubman Museum’s main goal is to expose and teach everyone about African American art, history and culture. So, tomorrow, May 16 will help highlight the museum's mission through performances and displays as the grand opening weekend kicks off with a symbolic march from the old 340 Walnut Street location to the new Tubman Museum on 310 Cherry Street. Immediately, after the crowd reaches the new museum, there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the building.

Afterwards, the doors to the museum are officially open from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. to the public at a discounted admission of $5 which can be applied to obtain an annual Tubman Museum membership. On the inside, you can experience a tour of the museum and its galleries. Plus, art and drumming demonstrations and workshops will take place in the classrooms.

At the same time, the whole family can begin to enjoy the 19th Annual Pan African Festival of Georgia’s marketplace of food, merchandise and art vendors in the Cherry Street Plaza along with live stage performances throughout the day. At 6:30 p.m., a 2015 Nissan Sentra will be given away from a raffle, courtesy of Butler Nissan and the Tubman Museum. You can log onto tubmanmuseum.com for rules and to find out where to purchase those tickets. Tomorrow night ends with a free community concert featuring the S.O.S. Band, a well-known R&B and funk band, in the Cherry Street Plaza.

On Sunday, May 17, the Pan African Festival of Georgia resumes in the Cherry Street Plaza. The outside stage will be graced with up and coming gospel and inspirational artists headlined by the McIntosh County Shouters from Savannah and the St. Paul Episcopal Mass Choir out of Atlanta. This free praise concert is coined from Coast to the Capital because of its featured performers.

Once again, the Tubman Museum will be open from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. with the discounted admission of $5 which can be applied to becoming a member. Upon entering the new Tubman Museum, you will be given a guided tour and the staff has also planned plenty of activities for the whole family to experience.

So, bring your lawn chairs and plenty of energy to enjoy the Tubman Museum’s Grand Opening weekend and 19th Annual Pan African Festival of Georgia in the Cherry Street Plaza.

Tags: Leah Fleming, Y-O Latimore, Middle Georgia Weekend, Tubman African American Museum