After a two year hiatus, Shady Grove Baptist Church’s Juneteenth celebration is returning.
The event will be held on Saturday, June 18, at Jim Smith Park, across from the church.
Juneteenth has been traditionally celebrated on June 19 in commemoration of the emancipation of slaves in the United States. They were originally freed in 1863 after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln. However, slaves in Texas did not learn of their freedom until 1865.
This year, it falls on Sunday, June 19 and will be observed federally on Monday, June 20. The Saturday event will run from noon to 8 p.m., with a formal program from noon to 1:15 p.m. Portia Burns, a member of the church, is spearheading the event and described what the event would entail.
“We’ll have Black business vendors, food vendors, music, and fellowship,” she said.
It has long been celebrated by the African-American community and Texas, but gained mainstream attention in 2021 when it became a federal holiday.
Burns also expressed why it was important to celebrate the holiday.
“Juneteenth isn’t just a Black holiday, but an American one! Commentating on the history of America (trials and triumphs), pertaining to Black culture, helps us to shape our future for the betterment of all Americans. As our society consistently shows, not knowing the whole story of America leaves space for us to repeat the negatives of history. It’s time to break these cycles,” she said.