History
History
Stone Soul is a non-profit organization. Stone Soul began in 1989 as a community reunion picnic aimed at gathering together the Mason Square Community. Stone Soul Logo SmallIt has since evolved into a three day festival, encompassing the Springfield and greater Springfield area. It has become New England's largest African American Festival. The main goals of Stone Soul Festival are to establish an annual festival to provide family orientated activities, entertainment and cultural enrichment. It is a vehicle for minority businesses to display their wares and crafts. Local, state and national entertainment are provided free of charge. There is a wide range of diversity at the Stone Soul Festival; participants from all ethnic backgrounds participate in all areas of the Festival. Stone Soul hosts Job Fairs, Social Service Agencies, Health Care Providers and many other community services.
The entertainment includes gospel, jazz, R&B, and dance. Sunday “Praise In The Park” begins at 10:00 am . The famous” Stone Soul Picnic" begins at 1:00 PM where families surrey on down in the tradition of the old time "picnic". Food is served free of charge to seniors and children. It's an easy day of eating, greeting and meeting family and friends, it is also the backdrop for a gospel concert that surpasses all gospel concerts. Then there is the Stone Soul Train which is a delight to all as it winds its way through the park. Admission to the park and all events are free to the public Stone Soul Picnic, was a song by the 5th Dimension musical group, it was a number one hit song in 1968. The cut, "Stoned Soul Picnic," went all the way to number three in the spring of 1968, selling over a million copies. The organizers of the original picnic liked the idea of the name but changed a few words to give our picnic its own identity. The event formally became know as the “Stone Soul Festival”.
Stone Soul is a non-profit organization. Stone Soul began in 1989 as a community reunion picnic aimed at gathering together the Mason Square Community. Stone Soul Logo SmallIt has since evolved into a three day festival, encompassing the Springfield and greater Springfield area. It has become New England's largest African American Festival. The main goals of Stone Soul Festival are to establish an annual festival to provide family orientated activities, entertainment and cultural enrichment. It is a vehicle for minority businesses to display their wares and crafts. Local, state and national entertainment are provided free of charge. There is a wide range of diversity at the Stone Soul Festival; participants from all ethnic backgrounds participate in all areas of the Festival. Stone Soul hosts Job Fairs, Social Service Agencies, Health Care Providers and many other community services.
The entertainment includes gospel, jazz, R&B, and dance. Sunday “Praise In The Park” begins at 10:00 am . The famous” Stone Soul Picnic" begins at 1:00 PM where families surrey on down in the tradition of the old time "picnic". Food is served free of charge to seniors and children. It's an easy day of eating, greeting and meeting family and friends, it is also the backdrop for a gospel concert that surpasses all gospel concerts. Then there is the Stone Soul Train which is a delight to all as it winds its way through the park. Admission to the park and all events are free to the public Stone Soul Picnic, was a song by the 5th Dimension musical group, it was a number one hit song in 1968. The cut, "Stoned Soul Picnic," went all the way to number three in the spring of 1968, selling over a million copies. The organizers of the original picnic liked the idea of the name but changed a few words to give our picnic its own identity. The event formally became know as the “Stone Soul Festival”.