Next weekend the James Chaney Day celebration returns to Meridian with events scheduled for Aug. 15 and 16. Following the tour there will be a ribbon cutting for the new addition to the playground at James Chaney Park, Davis said. Sunday, Aug. 16 at 5 p.m. the Chaney Day celebrations end with an event at First Union Church entitled “Why We Vote.” James Chaney was a Civil Rights activist during the Freedom Summer of 1964. He participated in numerous Civil Rights organizations until his life was cut short at the age of 21.