The Beckley Juneteenth Committee is preparing to host the annual Juneteenth Festival on Saturday, June 19.
According to Tina Pannell, Juneteenth Committee Chairperson, the event will be a day-long event held at various locations throughout the city.
The day’s events will start with a ceremony at Hunter Cemetery on Antonio Avenue in East Beckley from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Those in attendance may place flags throughout the cemetery.
“This is like our Fourth of July,” Pannell said. “The slaves became emancipated by Lincoln, but it wasn’t until later that they could even walk off the plantations. They didn’t have the means. So, now we pay homage to them. To all those who went before us.”
Following the ceremony, festival goers will head over to the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia where they will be able to learn about the history of Juneteenth and the CROWN Act from an on-site historian.
“We will learn how important it is to look back so that we may look forward,” Pannell stated.
Additionally, the National Guard will be on site for a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.
The celebration continues and moves to New River Park at 4:00 p.m. when Elite Events takes over and presents “Juneteenth in the Park”—an old school “Park Jam” featuring DJ Naybz & Sound Tone.
As for the recent passage of Juneteenth being declared a national and state holiday, Pannell said she is glad that it happened as it will create a continuing awareness of the country’s history, especially for younger generations.
“It is a joyous occasion to all,” said Pannell. “It is not a black or white thing, but our history as Americans. It is our duty to dialogue about Juneteenth, provide the education behind it and provide complete awareness.”
African Americans have been celebrating Juneteenth as a day of freedom since the mid-1800s. On June 18, Pres. Joe Biden signed a proclamation finally making June 19 a federal holiday. It is called the Juneteenth Day of Observance.
Biden’s proclamation states that “On June 19, 1865 — nearly nine decades after our Nation’s founding, and more than 2 years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation — enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally received word that they were free from bondage. As those who were formerly enslaved were recognized for the first time as citizens, Black Americans came to commemorate Juneteenth with celebrations across the country, building new lives and a new tradition that we honor today. In its celebration of freedom, Juneteenth is a day that should be recognized by all Americans. And that is why I am proud to have consecrated Juneteenth as our newest national holiday.”
Additionally, Gov. Jim Justice declared Juneteenth as a state holiday. He signed the state’s proclamation on June 17.
Pannell concluded by stating that for those who receive their COVID-19 vaccinations on Juneteenth, she is going to set up a Popsicles at New River Park event on July 17 so everyone may receive their second vaccine dose.
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