Juneteenth celebration scheduled at Heritage Park
Published 4:14 pm Friday, June 18, 2021
Winchester’s 2020 Juneteenth event featured a march promoting Black Lives Matter and protesting the murder of George Floyd. – File photo
Musicians perform at the 2020 Juneteenth celebration in Winchester. - File photo
People marched and peacefully protested the death of George Floyd and brutality on others during the 2020 Juneteenth celebratioin. - File photo
A woman and child attend the 2020 Juneteenth celebration. - File photo
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It was on June 19, 1865, that slaves in Texas were proclaimed to be free. June 19 is now recognized nationally as a holiday celebrating the emancipation of Black Americans, officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day.
In recognition of this day, the Winchester Black History and Heritage Committee will be hosting the Juneteenth Festival – featuring live music, booths, and festivities at Heritage Park from 12-5 p.m.
“Juneteenth is our black independence day,” said Narcissus Burnam, chair for the Winchester Black History and Heritage Committee. “I want my children to know we didn’t always have these freedoms. And when we were free, some of our ancestors didn’t even know it.“
Black citizens, along with other members of the Clark County Community, are invited to visit Heritage Park and bring chairs, picnics, friends, and family. Lexington deejay Dceezy will perform live music, with local businesses such as A-Squared Productions, HairFlare&More, La Hidrocalida, Rifle Records and PhilanthroPT offering concessions and services as vendors. In addition, the Winchester Black History and Heritage Committee will host a booth with information about the event and their organization.
“It’s just a day to come out and fellowship with friends and family,” said Burnam. “Bring your lawn chairs, sit down and take pride in the fact that we can celebrate this – that black Americans became independent.”
Heritage Park is located at 131 West Washington St. in Winchester. For more information regarding the Winchester Heritage Committee, visit their website at WinchesterBlackHistoryandHeritageCommittee.org.
