Juneteenth Celebrations: Food and Family Entertainment

Juneteenth (June nineteenth) is the time to celebrate the anniversary when the Union general arrived in Galveston, Texas, and read the Emancipation Proclamation declaring the end of the Civil War, which freed the slaves. Although, President Lincoln had signed the proclamation freeing the slaves in 1863, the word did not reach the people in Texas until 1865. Juneteenth is an official annual holiday in 31 states.

Events throughout Los Angeles County include:

City of Long Beach
"Celebrating the Bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln".
Saturday, June 13th 2009, 12 pm - 5 pm
Martin Luther King, Jr. Park
1950 Lemon Ave. Long Beach, CA
Activities: The Juneteenth 2009 celebration will be an open-air festival with live musical performances, food and merchandise vendors, a Health & Safety Fair and a spectacular children's area with games, crafts, jumpers and much more. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets for seating.

HitchHiker Entertainment
Juneteenth Party
Sunday, June 14th 2009, 2pm - 6pm.
11023 McCormick St. (Rooftop)
North Hollywood, CA
Info: Stephen at hitchhikerinc.net
Activity: Soul Food/BBQ, and mingling. Donation $10, to go plate $8. View Lakers vs. Magic game on large flat screen TV.

20th annual Pomona Valley Juneteenth Family Jazz Festival
Saturday, June 20th, 2009 10 am - 6 pm.
Ganesha Park Community Center
1575 N. White Avenue, Pomona, CA 91767
Admission is free.
Activities: BBQ, hair cuts, free bag of Green goodies, musical guest: Sekou Bunch & The Next Level, Marcus Coleman, Wayne Linsey, Kamasi Washington & The Next Step, and many more.

Chef Marilyn's Soul Food Express
Juneteenth Celebration
Friday, June 19th, 2009.
2638 Crenshaw Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90016
Info: (323) 737-8101
Activity: On June 19th everything in the restaurant will be .99 cent. Contact restaurant for hours and additional information.

More info: Bay Area events, SF,Ventura County events, Juneteenth.