Salina, KS - Daddy Bud Day, a free community block party in north Salina, will take place at Pacific Park, 701 W. Pacific on Saturday, July 6th at 10am. Salina native James Curtis (also known as Cash Hollistah), in collaboration with The Curtis family and local nonprofit Salina Shares, will be hosting the event. Beginning at 10am, Daddy Bud Day will feature free hamburgers and hot dogs provided and grilled onsite by the Salina Police Department. Beverages will also be provided. Dominoes and spades tables will be on hand, in addition to basketball and various water and lawn games for the children. The event, which will feature prize giveaways courtesy of Salina Shares and words from members of the Curtis family, will culminate in the inaugural DBD All-Star Basketball Game on the park's basketball court at 2pm. Sponsored by Be Wealth, the All-Star Game will pit Hollistah's team, "Big Bank," against his younger brother John Curtis III's team, "Northside Mafia." The game will feature players such as former Harlem Globetrotter and Salina native, Hannah Mortimer, and Salina rapper Dee Eazy.
Daddy Bud Day was a yearly event started by the late John Curtis Sr. (aka "Bud"). The event, which was started in 1967, originally was a program that sponsored activities for youth and adults in the community. Over the years, it morphed into a community wide event during the July 4th weekend for African-Americans in Salina. The event contained free swimming at the former Carver Center pool, free food and drinks (paid for out of his own pocket), vendors and an evening dance. His son, Salina pastor and musician John Curtis, Jr. took part in the events as the DJ. Part of Daddy Bud Day was eventually sponsored by his job, the former manufacturing plant, Wyatt Manufacturing. After Curtis Sr.'s death in 1971, the tradition continued for a few more years, ultimately ending in 1974. At the time of the final Bud Day celebration, over 400 people were in attendance. In 2014, he was posthumously awarded a Juneteenth Award by the Salina Juneteenth Committee.
Daddy Bud Day was revived in 2023 by his grandson, James. "Hearing stories about my grandfather and what he did for the community, coupled with the lack of events that bring different parts of the community together, especially in north Salina, was what made me want to resurrect it," Curtis said. "I wanted to continue the legacy left by him, my father, and my mother (the late Jeannette Curtis)." Efforts are currently underway to rename Pacific Park to Curtis Park after "Bud" and his father, John Curtis, Jr. Renovations of the park are also in discussion.
Daddy Bud Day is free and open to the public. Bringing your own lawn chair is strongly encouraged. Donations are also being accepted. For more info or ways to donate, contact Cash at DaddyBudDay@gmail.com.
Photo credit: Ray Wasike
