Juneteenth Celebration to take place in Morgan Park, community invited to attend

Freedom is something to celebrate and an opportunity to unite. The Big Spring Community is invited to join together and attend the celebration for Juneteenth to be held at Morgan Park. The event will take place between 4 p.m. until midnight.

“Juneteenth is the celebration for the event of the Emancipation Proclamation that declared all enslaved persons in the Confederate states of America in rebellion and not in Union hands be set free,” Jo Burciago, event organizer, said.

The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln. The Proclamation was read to newly freed African Americans in Galveston, Texas by General Gordon Granger on June 19. Juneteenth is the oldest celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

Throughout the Juneteenth celebration there will be competitions for basketball and dominoes, along with activities for the kids. Kids attending will be able to have their face painted and enjoy time in the bounce house, while listening to music provided by a live DJ. Double L BBQ will be on site with the food truck along with other food vendors. There will also be potato sack races, a dance contest and more.

“Due to the injustice and the racial events that have taken place over time and more so here recently, I feel now is the best time to unite as one,” she said.

All the activities, with the exception of the food truck, will be free for the public to take part in. The Juneteenth Celebration has been an annual event that dates back to 1867.

“I would encourage the community to come out, stop being afraid to learn something they don’t know about and open their minds, eyes, and hearts to learn some history,” she said. “Come out and join us while having some fun playing in dominos, spade and basketball tournaments.”

Amanda Duforat is the Managing Editor at the Big Spring Herald. To contact her, e-mail editor@bigspringherald.com or call 432-263-7331.