New Festival, Tour Honor Black History

Each year in February, Black History Month inspires hundreds of events across the U.S. One of the new events is the Native Island Gullah Celebration on Hilton Head Island, S.C.

The monthlong festival, sponsored by the Native Island Business and Community Affairs Assn., features the culture, food and crafts of the Gullah--African Americans living on the Sea Islands off South Carolina and Georgia. Years of isolation have allowed the Gullah to maintain a unique creole dialect and many West African traditions and customs.

A Heritage Trail tour, which stops at art exhibits and an early black self-governing village, leaves at 10 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday in February from the Gullah Flea market; tickets, $20. Upcoming events include a food, arts and crafts expo next Saturday and Sunday and a jazz festival with Lavon Stevens, Earl Williams and others on Feb. 22; $20 adults, $10 students. Information: (803) 846-0044. Also new, beginning this month, are “Share the Heritage” package tours featuring African American sites in Philadelphia. Sponsored by that city and American Airlines, they include air, hotel and various tour options, such as visits to the Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (founded in 1787) and outings to jazz and blues clubs. For information, see a travel agent or call Fly AAway Vacations at (800) 321-2121.