Juneteenth June 19, 2022

Juneteenth, a blending of "June" and "19th," commemorates the emancipation of slavery in the United States. It originated in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, when Union Army Gen. Gordon Granger arrived there to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. Although President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Proclamation nearly three years before, on Sept. 22, 1862, it was not immediately adopted across all states.

Enforcement depended on the advance of Union troops, which were hard to come by in remote Texas, so it became a final holdout. The enforcement of emancipation there after a long wait was truly cause for celebration. The first Juneteenth celebration took place in Galveston on June 19, 1866, and it has since caught on across the country. In 2021, Juneteenth National Independence Day was formally declared the United States' 12th federal holiday. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam declared Juneteenth it a permanent paid state holiday in June 2020, and Lexington adopted it as a formal city holiday in 2021.

To celebrate Juneteenth, representatives from multiple Lexington and Rockbridge organizations join forces to plan a series of fun and thought-provoking events during the month of June, including history events, an art show, live music, food, and games.

Schedule of Events

Date	Event Description
Friday, June 3	Project Horizon Juneteenth Art Show Reception; Nelson Gallery; 5-7 pm
Saturday, June 18	Glasgow Juneteenth Celebration Time Event 12:00 - 2:30 pm Refreshments 12:00 - 3:30 Juneteenth Flag Raising, Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, Dedication of Community Center to former Glasgow Elementary Principal James E. Thompson, Yard Games, Free Lunch 5:00 - 8:30 pm Black History Trivia, Live Music, Refreshments, Fireworks at Dusk
Sunday, June 19	Juneteenth celebration from 1-6p.m. at Richardson Park Time Event 1:30 - 2:15 pm Lylburn Downing School Marker Celebration; Keynote Speaker: Ms. Louise Johnson Mikell,  Downing aluma, teacher; Original Downing School Building, 300 Diamond Street 2:15 - 3:00 pm Community Arts Reach (Gospel Youth Choir) 3:00 - 5:00 pm Knockout Basketball Tournament 3:00 pm - Youth 13 and under begin 4:00 pm - Youth 14 and up begin Tournament is free and no prior registration is required 3:30 - 5:30 pm Caribbean Vibe Steel Drum Band Food and retail vendors, all representing local Black-owned businesses: Humble Hustle Clothing Audra Kai Quantum Studios Na Na's Ice Cream Truck Let Them Eat Cake New Hope Church of God in Christ (Fish Fry) The Jar Family (Homemade juice boxes, lip balm, candles) Suga's Kitchen (Fried Wing Dings and Fries) Bella Bling Paparazzi Jewelry Walker Entrepreneursip Program Simply Clean Herbal remedies by Gabrielle and Olaniyan Cash Island Wheels Food Truck

Header image: "Mama Lu" by Linda Powell