Odyssey World International Education Services (OWIES) will host a free Juneteenth Freedom Celebration from 1 to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 17, at Esther Short Park (605 Esther Street). The event is sponsored by Group Health Foundation, Vancouver’s Downtown Association and the City of Vancouver.
Juneteenth is an American holiday that celebrates the 1865 liberation of the last enslaved African Americans by Union soldiers in Texas, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863. While it was only recently recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth has been celebrated by Black Americans for over a century.
People of all ages and backgrounds are invited to the Juneteenth Freedom Celebration to experience the richness of African American culture and honor America’s shared ideals of liberty and justice for all.
The event will begin with remarks from Rev. Joseph Scheeler, Rev. Joyce Smith and Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. Following a gospel music performance by Praze Worship, Clark County Councilor Temple Lentz will recognize the 2022 Marshall Leadership Award winners. The program portion of the event will conclude with the announcement of the NAACP Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) scholarship winners by ACT-SO chair, Bridgette Fahnbulleh.
A variety of musical acts will take the stage throughout the day with Jujuba, a 10-piece Afrobeat and Juju band closing out the festivities. Other activities include a historical art installation created by young people from the Boys and Girls Club, a tabletop gaming area, kid’s activities provided by Columbia Play Project and over 70 local vendors highlighting local business, support resources and employment opportunities.
“This is an amazing opportunity for everyone to gather in a lovely, safe space to enjoy great food, listen to live music, appreciate art, play traditional games and have fun,” said Karen Morrison, founder and executive director of OWIES. “A goal of our event is to connect people and celebrate the freedoms that strengthen our community. This event is for everyone and we are delighted to share Juneteenth with you!”
The Juneteenth Freedom Celebration activities are all held outdoors and will continue as scheduled, rain or shine.
Learn more at www.JuneteenthFreedomCelebration.com. Additional support is provided by Black Community of Portland, Indivisible Greater Vancouver, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries and Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health.
CONTACT: Melody Burton; Marketing Manager, Vancouver Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services melody.burton@cityofvancouver.us, 360-487-8306
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June 08, 2022 at 05:48AM
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Celebrate freedom at Vancouver Juneteenth holiday event - City of Vancouver, Washington
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