With parades, arts and more, CSRA celebrates Juneteenth
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Wednesday will be the third year for recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
On Saturday, crowds on both sides of the Savannah River celebrated, educated themselves and honored those who came before them.
Behind the drum lines and excited faces at the Juneteenth parade in Augusta was a message.
“It’s part of our history just as much as Fourth of July,” said Crystal Harper with the National Action Network.
HISTORY BEHIND THE HOLIDAY:
- Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, found out they had been freed — after the end of the Civil War, and two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
Parade participant Sandy MacCartney Carter said: “Can you imagine? You know how hot it is out here on this day and they were out in the fields all day long. It was no such thing as, ‘I got a break,’ from sun up to sundown. There was no air conditioning whatsoever. So on a day like Saturday, you never want to forget where you came from.”
Many were doing just that: ing and honoring.
“It’s our history, and by honoring it, we’re recognizing what took place,” said Seneca Johnson, board president for the Center of African American History, Art and Culture in Aiken. “But then we’re also showcasing what we’re doing now and how we’re coming together to fellowship.”
Whether it’s gathering for parade or taking a trip to the museum, there is no denying the celebrations are all around.
MORE | Juneteenth celebrated in many places and in many ways
For more than a century and a half, the Juneteenth holiday has been sacred to many Black communities.
“It’s a way for us to celebrate freedom for all,” said Krystal Lyon, education manager at the Augusta Museum of History. “Here in the Augusta area, we have such a diverse community here. Everybody knows that. And so this is just a fun day to celebrate, to learn a little bit about the history behind Juneteenth and to be together as a community.”
Johnson said: “When you think about the history of Juneteenth and where the slaves received their freedom, it’s just really good to be able to see people from different backgrounds coming out and ing in the celebration.”
At the museum’s discovery day on Saturday, Local artist S.C. Daniel was creating artwork based on the great lyrics from James Brown’s “I’m Black & I’m Proud.” And News 12′s Zayna Halliburton took part in the celebrations with a book reading.
There were also celebrations Saturday in Warren County, Waynesboro and elsewhere.
Coming up
On Wednesday, Augusta is holding its eighth annual Juneteenth Festival. Band of Brothers Augusta is hosting the event from 12:30-9:30 p.m. in the James Brown Arena Seventh Street parking lot.
And in Aiken County, Umoja Village will celebrate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Eudora Farms Wildlife Safari Park in Salley. Activities for the entire family are planned by Umoja Village to also include remarks by Salley Mayor LaDonna Hall, African-style drummers and dancers, educational and history presentations, line dancing and more.
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