Juneteenth celebration includes music, food and activities for children
by June 12, 2010 6:38 pm 106 views
story and photos by Joel Rafkin
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You don’t get much for a $1 these days but that’s all it takes to enjoy an outing at Harry E. Kelley Park this weekend for the Juneteenth Freedom Fest "Freedom and Unity" Celebration.
The annual event is put on by the Juneteenth Planning Commission and sponsored by numerous businesses, individuals and organizations.
The lineup of performances is impressive with headliners Silk’s "Lil G" Gary Jenkins performing Friday night and Bigg Robb on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Gates open at noon on Saturday and performances are scheduled to begin at 4:20 p.m. Fourteen acts are on Saturday’s bill.
Several bounce-a-rounds will keep the kids busy while food and drink vendors can satisfy the famished or parched. The event also raises money for the George Fisher Memorial Scholarship fund.
When funds permit, a minimum scholarship in the amount of $1,500 is presented during the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Banquet in January. Jade Novak is the 2010 recipient.
Juneteenth celebrates and commemorates the official freeing of all slaves in America on June 19, 1865 as a result of General Order No. 3. The holiday is not nationally recognized but is a state holiday in 29 states including Arkansas and Oklahoma.
