They call Milwaukee the "City of Festivals." Little do people know that in our community there are many smaller neighborhood festivals that can rival some of the bigger ones in most major cities: Juneteenth Day Festival and Garfield Avenue Blues, Gospel, and Jazz Festival which use local entertainment.

The New Pitts Mortuary joined the list by hosting its First Annual Gospel Fest with the theme, "It’s a Family Affair." This was a festival of all festivals as people came from all over the city to participate and celebrate with the New Pitts Mortuary, which is a funeral home owned by Michelle Pitts-Luckett.

It is truly unusual that a funeral home sponsors a public event, much less host a free community event to say "thank you" for allowing them to serve you.

Pitts was looking for a way to say thank you to her community and she came up with the idea of a festival. So she pulled her team together and the rest is history. Over 5,000 attended this first Gospel Fest. There was free food and beverages, many things for the children to participate in, blood pressure screenings, even a quick massage. Also there was "Safe-N-His Arms" Support Services, Inc., as well as several vendors for many things.

What was great is that many of the young volunteers were from St Charles Youth and Family Services and Career Youth Development (CYD).

People began to arrive some came directly from church, given the fact that many of the women were still dressed in their Sunday Best of dresses, heels and pretty hats. The men were dressed in suits and shoes that looked like they could have been Stacy Adams.

Nate Luckett said they held the event as a way to give back to the community. "We wanted to give our neighbors and community something enjoyable to do and to show them that Pitts is more than a business, it is a ministry. We're taking gospel to the streets in order to help young people and give them an opportunity to turn their lives around."

The entertainment started with WISN 12 DeMarco Morgan and WNOV860 Radio Personality Rob Hardy as Masters of Ceremonies. Elder Redmond did the opening prayer and then it was Showtime.

One of I-Witness's favorites, Lil’ Jewel opened with "Lift Every Voice" the Black National Anthem, followed by Holy Temple Gospel Band, Mrs. Tiffany Terry, the Jerusalem Baptist Church, Mrs. Renecia Smith, Holy Redeemer Drumline, Jarvis Redd, Reggie & Co., Choc (the comedian), Holy Redeemer Youth Choir, Signature Dance Company, Male Tones, Praise Temple Mines Dancer, Spiritual Believers, Dr. Daniel Butler, Praise Temple Steppers, Minister William Muhammad of the Nation of Islam Mosque #3, the Little Luckett Jr. and the Luckett Brothers.

There was a surprise as well. Unknown to DeMarco, children were given colorful balloons to hold as 13 folks came on stage carrying 13 sheet cakes that spelled out his name. He did not have a clue. Rob called him upon the stage and Michelle told him how much Milwaukee was going to miss him.

I chatted with many of the homeowners who live in the area. "I think it (the event) is beautiful," said Sandra Trotter. "If we can get this fired up about rock stars, surely we can be fired up about Jesus."

The Luckett Brothers then took the stage. They are a Quartet Gospel Group that has traveled nationwide bringing the word of God to all who are willing to listen.

The grouped was formed the group in 1963 right here in Milwaukee and has been together for over 30 years. They started out with all nine of their brothers being in the group. Since a few have passed, Nate, William, James and Aaron still perform from time to time. In 2005, the group was presented a Lifetime of Gospel Music Ministry Award. They were rocking the streets ya'll. They had women throwing away their canes, coming out their seats and literally dancing in the streets and Jesus was the Rock Star that day.

The neighbors on the block were so thankful for the Gospel event that they said they were going to invite their friends and family over next year.