Celebrating Juneteenth (Freedom Day)

Juneteenth has a special place in my heart because its origins are rooted in Galveston, TX.
Though the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, and though Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865 (ending the Civil War), word of the freeing of the slaves did not reach Galveston until June 19, 1865. June 19 (Juneteenth) has since become known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day. What started out as a regional holiday (Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma) has become a national day of celebration and remembrance.

For general information about Juneteenth check out:
http://www.juneteenth.com/

Upcoming Events…

Juneteenth Celebration at Valley Ridge Park
June 16, 2007
4pm – 10pm
Valley Ridge Park
2850 Park Ridge Drive
Cedar Hill, TX

The cities of Lancaster, DeSoto, Cedar Hill and Duncanville have joined together for the 4th Annual Best Southwest Juneteenth Celebration. There will be food, vendor booths, children’s activities, gospel and general entertainment for adults, and much more. FREE admission.

For more information call 972.230.9651. or visit

http://www.duncanville.com/juneteenth/

Real Men Cook for Charity
June 17, 2007
3pm
Gilley’s of Dallas
1135 South Lamar
Dallas, TX 75215
$20/adult; $10/child

From DallasBlack.com:
A fun-filled, all you can eat food tasting event! A celebration of men, fathers and families. Celebrities will include 2005 Host Darius McCrary “Eddie Winslow”-Family Matters; 2005 Host Darrin Henson-Soul Food; Rockman Dunbar-Soul Food, Prison Break & Girlfriends; Hill Harper–NY CSI. Real Men Cook is committed to the positive promotion and support of men in the community.There will be on-site kids activities to provide children with a hands-on opportunity to showcase mentoring and the dispensation of smiles for their fathers or the real men in their lives. Sponsors: Real Men Cook for Charity, Bounty and Southwest Airlines Contact Information
http://www.realmencook.com/
realmencookdallas@ yahoo.com Terry Allen, Dallas Event Manager, 214.376.6530 Info Line 214.231.5671


Celebration of African and African-American Art

June 19, 2007
6pm - 9pm
McKinney Avenue Contemporary
3120 McKinney Avenue
Dallas, TX 75204
214.953.1212
Suggested donation: $10 or $15

This event is not explicitly intended to commemorate Juneteenth but it does celebrate the freedom of artistic expression which we now enjoy.
From the DallasNews.com:
An opening reception June 19 at the McKinney Avenue Contemporary for "Art & Culture for Seeds: A Celebration of African and African American Art" celebrates the works of eight artists, including Radcliffe Bailey and Sherlock Artis. The reception also benefits nonprofit organization SEEDS (Sports for Education and Economic Development in Senegal) and includes live music and refreshments from the Cape restaurant. – BINDU VARGHESE / Staff Writer


Juneteenth Celebration - City of Plano
June 23, 2007
8am – 10 pm
Douglass Community Center
1111 H Avenue
Plano, TX

The City of Plano Douglass Community Center will host the 2007 Juneteenth Celebration. Join in the observance and enjoy a day of community service, family fun and games, live music, celebraty sporting event, a carnival atmosphere and food vendors. For more information contact the Center at 972-941-7174.