YOUNGSTOWN Organizer adds parade to Judzaar street fair

One artist said he is returning because of the community spirit Judzaar brings.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Girl Scouts who meet at the nearby church have missed out on some local events lately. Mariae Brooks decided they wouldn't miss out this time.
Brooks, who organized the first Judzaar street fair last year, is adding a parade to the event to assure that scouts -- girl and boy -- get some recognition.
"At least they'll know we care," said Brooks, leader of the Judson Block Watch.
Youths in the various scouting groups around the city, including Brownies and Cub Scouts, will march in the Judzaar 2003 parade Saturday.
Besides the parade, the event will be somewhat bigger and, Brooks hopes, better.
About a dozen vendors of arts and crafts, from painting to clothing, will be setup on Judson Avenue from 10:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. between Hillman Street and Glenwood Avenue. That's twice the number of artisans who displayed their works last year.
Plus, at least five residents on Judson and maybe more will have their own yard sales. The city fire department will do demonstrations for children, and the St. Elizabeth Health Center's Mobile Medical Clinic will do health screenings.
About the parade
The parade on Judson starts at 9:30 a.m. at Market Street and moves to Glenwood. Local church, block watch and other civic leaders will join scouts from around the city.
Impetus for the parade was the 50 Girl Scouts who meet at Martin Luther Lutheran Church at Hudson Avenue and Clearmount Drive, a few blocks from Judson.
Not all the girls have uniforms, so they didn't participate in few community events recently, Brooks said. The parade shows the youngsters they are valued, she said.
Brooks started the street fair last year because she was tired of how everyone living on the South Side is stigmatized by perceptions of crime. She wants to spotlight the good, talented people of the South Side, she said.
Judzaar's community spirit is the reason artist Jody Odom again will display his paintings.
Odom, 30, of Chicago Avenue, operates a ministry he calls "Art in the Word" and describes his work as inspirational and uplifting. He didn't sell much last year, but he enjoyed meeting the people who came to look at his works and seeing the children have a good time, he said.
Judzaar is a positive event run by good people and is something the rest of the community needs to see, Odom said.
Police will close West Judson to traffic from 8:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. The 500 and 600 block will remain closed until 3 p.m.
The rain date will be May 31.
rgsmith@vindy.com