JUNETEENTH OHIO PHOTOS

   Just before summer kicks off, consider the opportunity for your family to celebrate and commemorate the freedom of our ancestors in two special parts of the country. A little known fact is that on September 22, 1862, President Lincoln issued the 1st Executive Order that to free slaves in the South. This was cause for spontaneous celebration for many places across the North, particularly in Gallipolis, Ohio, located about 80 miles east of Cincinnati on the north bank of the Ohio River. Gallipolis started their spontaneous celebration before the 2nd Executive Order, issued January 1, 1863, that named ten specific states where it would apply.

   So in September of 1863, those Ohio residents held a commemorative event on the first anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. To this day, Gallipolis Emancipation Day (September 18-19) is considered to be the oldest celebration of its kind throughout the nation. As such, the First Emancipation Celebration in 1862 in Ohio forms a bookend with the Juneteenth Emancipation Celebration of June 19, 1865 when Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger delivered emancipation news to Galveston, Texas. Galveston was considered the last bastion of slavery after the Emancipation Proclamation.

   To celebrate the Emancipation event with historic flair, consider Ohio or Texas for your family reunion on this Juneteenth holiday. Whereas Juneteenth Galveston is better known and has smaller charms, the state of Ohio is home to one of America’s largest Juneteenth celebrations in Columbus, now celebrating its 20th anniversary and about 150,000 people.

   "We are grateful and honored to produce the 20th Annual JuneteenthOhio Festival, June 18–20 in Columbus, Ohio at the beautiful and historic Franklin Park”, says Mustafaa Shabazz, the JuneteenthOhio Chairman. The three-day event will feature great music including jazz, Gospel, R&B and the JuneteenthOhio Anniversary Concert starring Ray J & Ginuine. There will also be large Soul Food Pavilion, citywide talent show, free health screenings and a job fair.

   Three more Ohio cities are celebrating Juneteenth 2010 in a big way. Cincinnati is throwing its twenty-second Juneteenth celebration on June 19th in Eden Park, which will feature attractions including historical reenactments and exhibits, craft demonstrations, a “Parade of Flags,” live concerts, children’s activities and much more, see http://www.juneteenthcincinnati.org/

 

   The 6th annual Toledo Juneteenth Celebration is being hosted again at the popular Toledo Museum of Art. The festive event will feature Gallery Explorations to embark on a self-guided gallery experience featuring works of art by African and African-American artists, reenactment of the Ohio 5th Infantry Regiment U.S. Colored Troop, useful information by local organizations and health agencies. Don't forget the delectable dishes on Monroe Street, Glass Pavilion Café, and Main Museum Café provided by local vendors, see http://www.dotoledo.org

   Dayton Juneteenth Freedom Breakfast celebration begins Friday, June 18th and continues throughout the weekend with great events for the whole family, see http://www.juneteentohio.net or http://www.discoverohio.com/multicultural

 

JUNETEENTH IN GALVESTON