News
HP Multicultural Fair kicks off at Ross
Neighborhood celebrates diversity

Ross Field wasn’t just all about softball on Saturday as scores of residents came out for the first annual One Boston Multicultural Fair.
The day featured a live DJ, food from Las Delicias Columbianas, kids activities, face painting and massages from local businesses from around Hyde Park.
Organizer and Afrimerican Academy Founder Marlon Solomon said the weather cooperated and they had good community participation.
“It was a perfect day, 70 degrees with a cool breeze. People from all over Hyde Park came out and had fun,” he said. “Different races, different creeds, they all came together and had a blast.”
Solomon said the kids had fun going back and forth between the activities, and a lot of nonprofits got their information out to those in need.
“It’s really just a beautiful vibe today, and I’m not just saying that because it’s my thing. I really love it,” he said. “We’re trying to do this to highlight Hyde Park. I mean during the 250th anniversary of the United States, people think of 250 Boston and they think Downtown, the Freedom Trail or the Tea Party. But we’re trying to put Hyde Park more on the map. The Hyde Park Equity Tours is part of the same thing.”
For more information on the Hyde Park Equity Tours, go to https://afrimericanone.org/home
Residents Desmond Hall and Angela Scott said they loved the idea, and came out because they heard the celebratory sounds coming from the field. Hall said it meant a lot to him, because when he first came to Hyde Park, Ross Field was unofficially off limits for him.
“I grew up over there on Lewiston Street; my family came here in 1977 and I couldn’t come to this park,” he said. “I’d get stoned, harassed, spit on and kicked. So it’s amazing to see this place so integrated and multicultural. That used to be a street hockey rink up top, and that was the gathering place for the local thugs. But the neighborhood has changed. It’s beautiful. I’m tickled seeing this now.”
“We came down here to watch the softball game, actually, because we could see it from our house, but we saw this and it’s just great to see the many community outlets out here being supported,” said Scott.
“And when she sees vendors, she gets excited!” Hall added.
Residents Betty Magny, Bionca St. Fleur and Jennifer said they like the event, but hope that next year there will be a bigger crowd.
“I wish there were more people here, but it’s a beautiful event,” said Magny.
“There will be more for next year definitely,” said Jennifer. “They have a lot of good vendors.
“It’s good to get out and meet people out here in the community,” said St. Fleur.
Resident Abner Gerome said he came out to support his daughter, who was DJing the event as TripleA.
“It’s just beautiful here,” he said. “People are coming out and supporting the cause. There are a lot of good vendors here. I got a good massage for my shoulders, so it’s pretty nice here.”
About the author
Jeff Sullivan Covers local news and community stories.
More in this section
Third time for 920 Centre Street proposal: 5 stories / 158 units
$2 million concession to the Arboretum
July 2, 2026

Comments