Tori Crews never took her eyes off her 2-year-old son, Elijah Crews, as he bravely climbed to the top of the 30-foot-high inflatable sliding board.
The crowd below shouted encouragement as his sister, Tatiana Crews, 5, patiently guarded him from behind — at least until it came time to slide back down. That’s when Elijah’s bravery dissipated along with his sister’s patience.
“He’s not coming down,” someone said as older sister Imari Rogers, 10, jumped into action. She scaled the slide in record time and convinced him to take a leap of faith by grabbing his ankles for incentive. Elijah was all smiles after he slid safely down to the sound of cheers, albeit on his belly, feet first with arms spread wide.
An inflatable play area as well as games, food, prizes and entertainment awaited as throngs of people poured into Lane Field to help Stewart and Calhoun Funeral Home celebrate its 50th anniversary on Sunday at a free Community Outreach Appreciation Festival.
The 1,000 backpacks filled with free school supplies for children waiting in line were gone 45 minutes after the party began on the city’s near west side.
Stewart and Calhoun, part of the foundation of Akron’s African-American community for half a century, has shown its gratitude to loyal patrons in many ways throughout the years, said W. Byron Calhoun.
“It’s the first time we’ve done this,” he said of the festival. “We’re celebrating 50 years of being able to serve the Akron community.”
The business has given scholarships to students for the last 30 years and supported community sports teams since it was founded, Calhoun said.
Sons of the founders, William E. Calhoun and the late James Stewart, have carried on the family tradition. Both J. Preston Stewart and Byron Calhoun are licensed funeral directors — Stewart at the original business on West Thornton Street and Calhoun at two funeral homes in Cleveland.
“We are the only two who followed in our fathers’ footsteps,” Calhoun said proudly.
Funeral home office manager Beth Locke said employees have been planning the celebration for the past year.
“It was Bill’s [William Calhoun’s] idea. Unfortunately, he couldn’t be here today due to illness. We’re praying for him,” Locke said.
The elder Calhoun, who still operates the business, was hospitalized Saturday for an unknown illness, said his brother, Ernest Calhoun, a retired school counselor with the Akron City Schools.
Bottles of cold juice and ice water flowed freely in the 80 degree sun, and hot dogs were the lunch of choice for kids.
Imani Ford, 10; and her brother, Michael Ford, 6; examined the school supplies.
“Notebooks, pencils, pens,” Imani excitedly called out.
Kathy Antoniotti can be reached at 330-996-3565 or kantoniotti@thebeaconjournal.com.