Comfort food that takes you back, picnic games that bring smiles, and an afternoon of community. The Cookout: A Black History Celebration, kicks off Black History Month in Wilton Manors with a day at Mickel Park on Feb. 3, from 1-6 p.m.

Now in its third year of celebrating Black Cultural and Black Excellence in the LGBTQ community, the event helps people focus on the importance of Black history to shape a better future.

Everything for the event; food, parking, entranced, is free. The only exception is drinks. One hundred percent of proceeds go to this year’s beneficiary, New Era Lodge No. 69, a Fort Lauderdale Chapter of the Prince Hall Masonic Origin. It is the first of the 300-year-old Prince Hall Masonry to have an openly gay and Black Worshipful Master, Ederick Johnson, also the youngest of leaders. The chapter’s mission is dedicated to the work of HIV Prevention, Orphans, and the Black Community.

There will be a Spades tournament and a Dominoes tournament, each comes with a $150 prize.

Also, for the first time, there will be a special Kids Zone, sponsored by IKEA.

Sponsors for the event include CAN Community Health, Pub On the Drive, Sysco, and LIT Bar.