Juneteenth Celebration in Long Beach California

On June 19, 1865 slaves in Galveston, Texas learned that President Lincoln had signed a proclamation abolishing slavery on January 1, 1863. After the shock of learning they had been legally freed 2 and a half years earlier, the slaves rejoiced. Some took off to search for families and friends they had been separated from by slave owners. Others agreed to an employee/employer relationship with the Plantation owners. The jubilant day was called Junetteenth and an annual June 19th tradition of family reunions, praying, and celebrations, especially featuring barbeques began among former slaves and their descendents.

The city of Long Beach California's 11th Annual Juneteenth Celebration is set for Saturday, June 16, 2007 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park Community Center. MLK, Jr. Park is located at 1950 Lemon Avenue two blocks north of Pacific Coast Highway, bordered on the east by Orange Avenue. The Juneteenth Celebration features a free Gospel Concert this year. Among the artists scheduled to perform are Tim Bishop Brown and the Miracle Mass Choir, Keyo, the 2nd Samoan Church, and Tramaine Hawkins. Ms. Hawkins sang with the Edwin Hawkins Singers who had a pop hit in 1968, "Oh Happy Day". The song was considered a "crossover" being popular on both R&B Charts and mainstream record charts. She continued her musical career winning two Grammy Awards, two Dove Awards, an NAACP Image Award, and Gospel Music Excellence Award. She was also inducted into the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1999.

Aundrae Russell was chosen as master of ceremonies for the Juneteenth Celebration. Mr. Russell created, produces and hosts "Spread The Word" heard on Los Angeles' KJLH 102.3 radio station. LA Laker fans may recognize him as being the voice at half time. The free entertainment is made possible by the Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Department; Partners of Parks; Central Area Association and the Sixth District Office. Like all Long Beach festivals there will be vendors featuring International foods, crafts and other merchandise. Activities for children will include a petting zoo. There will be a Health Pavilion featuring stress reduction massages, information and health screenings. Farm fresh fruits, vegetables and other handouts will be available. In addition information for college students will be available at booths hosted by Long Beach City College and CSU Dominguez Hills.

This years Juneteenth theme is "A Renewed Spirit...in Harmony". Long Beach is called "The International City" and promotes "unity through diversity". Relations between various ethnic groups in the city have become strained in the past two years. Trials in what is called the "Bixby Knolls Beatings" threatened to divide the city into warring fractions. The Juneteenth Celebration endeavors to build bridges of understanding and sharing of information and ideas. In addition to the gospel music, there are bound to be speeches from District officials extolling the virtues of unity and harmony. Long Beach does put it's own peculiar spin on the Juneteenth Celebration. More peculiar is to not celebrate a shinning moment in United States history when the government righted a horrible wrong.

To find Juneteenth celebrations is your area visit the Juneteenth website.