DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Black College Reunion used to be one of the biggest annual events in Daytona Beach, drawing over 100,000 people. But the event has shrunk to only about 1,000 this year.
Spring Break at Daytona Beach is legendary.
"I hear that this is best beaches to come to," Jeff Azcueda told WFTV.
That's why Azcueda and his friends decided to take their vacation there. They go to school at Arizona State. But Azcueda was surprised to see there weren't more kids his age.
"I don't know where they at," he said.
This weekend was supposed to be Black College Reunion (BCR). Even ten years ago, the event attracted more than 100,000 students to Daytona Beach and at one point pumped about $150 million into the economy.
"I'm disappointed. I'm disappointed, to say the least," said Lindsey Morris, vice president of the local NAACP.
Morris said the city never supported the event and wanted to get rid of it.
"At times I was on A-1-A when there were more policemen than revelers," he said. "To me it was just intimidation."
Only 1,000 students are expected at BCR this weekend. Azcueda and other students say maybe it's because this generation is different, but Morris isn't convinced and will fight to make sure other events don't go the way of BCR.
"I would like to see the city open its arms to everybody," he said.
Morris told WFTV he doesn't think BCR will ever come back to Daytona Beach.
Previous Stories: March 19, 2010: It's A 'No Show' For Black College Reunion March 23, 2009: Promoter: BCR Demise Is Racially Motivated April 6, 2008: Black College Reunion Promotes Big Changes To Save Dying Event March 28, 2008: Spring Break Less Than Stellar For Volusia County Businesses
WFTV
