Community observes 83rd commemoration of Rhythm Night Club Fire

Charnecia Green awarded $1,000 scholarship

NATCHEZ, Miss. -- This year’s 83rd commemoration of the Rhythm Night Club Fire included a $1,000 scholarship, the unveiling of a monument listing the names of the fire’s victims, and a message by Mayor Dan M. Gibson, who served as the guest speaker.

The event took place on Saturday, April 22, at The Rhythm Night Club Memorial Museum, at 5 St. Catherine St. The museum tells the story of the fire that killed more than 200 people, including Walter Barnes and members of his band on April 23, 1940.

About 100 people gathered for the commemoration, which is held each year by Monroe and Betty Sago, the owners and operators of the museum. The theme this year was “Mission Possible.”

The program began, as it has for the past 15 years, with the siren blast of a fire engine from the Natchez Fire Department. The engine blew its horn three times.

Betty Sago said the day’s program was held to honor the 209-plus victims that died in the club fire in 1940, as well those who survived that “went on with their lives and made a life for themselves, even though they carried a burden for a number of years.”

Betty said that she and Monroe decided years ago to become “the conduit to help these people tell their stories over the years.”

During the ceremony, the Sagos awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Charnecia Green, a student of Natchez Early College at Co-Lin, who plans to attend Alcorn State University School of Nursing in Natchez. The scholarship was made possible in part by Magnolia Bluff Casino and Hotel, which donated $500 to the museum, with a request for it to be matched.

“I think it’s a great and wonderful thing that the Sagos got going here, and we want to be a part of it,” said Willie Minor, assistant manager for Magnolia Bluff, as he presented the check to the Sagos for the scholarship program.

In his presentation as guest speaker, Mayor Gibson acknowledged the work and the passion of the Sagos, as well as the important place their work holds in the city’s history.

“Where we are, we are sitting (and) we are standing on sacred ground,” Gibson said. “We are here in the midst of Natchez history, and this history is truly amazing. Today is such a beautiful testimony to the love in our city and the love that the Sagos have for this site and for those who perished on this site 83 years ago and for their descendants, their family members who are still affected by this tragedy that happened in our city.”

Gibson said that some other structure could have been erected on the site at 5 St. Catherine Street, the site of the museum, and the story of the fire could have been forgotten, were it not for the Sagos.

“Because of these two, this has been a mission possible from day one,” Gibson said. “And because of them, it has brought people here from all over the world to share in the story of what happened here and what should never be forgotten here. In addition to that, they have made a way for countless young people to work here to serve here and also to receive scholarships here.”

Gibson said the work of the Sagos must not go unnoticed. “…Let it not go unnoticed that their story here and the Rhythm Night Club story here, can be an inspiration to us in other parts of our city,” he said.

Gibson’s presentation was followed by the unveiling of the monument that features 209 names of the people who perished in the fire.

Participants in the ceremony included Latonya Sago, who served as program guide and Muriel Vivians, who served as hostess. Pastor Byron K. Sago provided the opening prayer and Ana Barfield opened the ceremony with a song. Linda Williams and Asia Reynolds also provided songs, as did Lawrence R. Winston.

Maysa Vivians shared a reading of “How to Become a Good Friend.” Wilbert Whittley, Natalie Lyles, and Kaitlyn Hayes, assisted with the door prizes. Linda Birsong, Tremeka Ford, Martha Gooden, Kathy Lyles, and Linda Williams assisted with the refreshments.