Juneteenth Celebration

Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For 17 years a community-wide celebration has taken place in Springfield on the weekend of June 19 that marks an important date in the history of the United States.

June 19, 1865, was the day that slaves in Galveston, Texas, were released into freedom. Since that time, June 19 was declared African-American Emancipation Day and it has been observed around the world since to commemorate African-American freedom and emphasize African-American education and achievement. In approximately 35 states, it is a state holiday.

Organizers of the 18th annual Springfield Juneteenth Celebration announce a host of entertainment and activities slated for families to enjoy. The party will be held at Comer Cox Park at Capitol Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

The two-day festivities kick off with a parade at 10 a.m. that begins at Brown Street and Martin Luther King Drive and ends in Comer Cox Park. Opening ceremonies will follow the parade. Each day vendors will set up in the park selling goods such as food, art and jewelry, a car and bike show will be on display and a basketball tourney will take place.

There is no fee for admission to this event. For more information about Springfield’s Juneteenth Celebration, phone 502-3701. To learn more about Juneteenth Day and the effort to make it a national holiday, visit the national site at www.nationaljuneteenth.com or www.juneteenth.com.