Juneteenth is Tuesday, but across the nation, African-Americans will celebrate the holiday -- which is also known as Freedom Day -- this weekend.
The day marks the end of slavery, when two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Union soldiers rolled into Texas to free those still in bondage. Slavery would still be legal in several instances for a few years afterward (even upheld by the state’s supreme court), but June 19 is largely seen as the day slavery ended.
Locally, the celebration will occur at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park on Chestnut Street. The theme of the year is Black Excellence, and event coordinator Tammi Herron says it’s important to remind local youths of their value and fight harmful stereotypes that persist about African-Americans to this day.
“(What) people can expect to see is unity. That’s our main focus -- unity,” she said. “Knowing that we as a people can come together and a have a good time. Basically, no conflicts or anything like that. Just a big family picnic.”
There will be food, live music and vendors. Some of the activities include a double Dutch tournament, a book drive and a fitness challenge. The longtime tradition of libation -- where people pour part of a beverage on the ground to honor their ancestors -- also will be observed.
“The main thing that we’re doing is basically educating people on what Juneteenth is really about and how it got started. Just educating them on the importance of Juneteenth,” Herron said.
She added that too few people understand how slavery ended -- it wasn't immediate. She hopes more people will learn this history at the festival.