Juneteenth Celebration features music and more

This year marks the 150^th anniversary of Juneteenth, a day of recognition and celebration of the end of African American slavery in the United States. The 8th Annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cone Park Branch Library, features a spirited community event with music, exhibits, food, refreshments and door prizes.

This celebration shares the history of Juneteenth and includes performances by local and regional artists including Africa 2000, gospel group Marion Clark and New Vision, the Lavern Porter Dancers, jazz and blues singer Quintina Crawford, jazz musician Lanard Perry, Company of Praise performing old spirituals A Capella style, The Last of the Gunslingers, rap and hip/hop group Fleetwood the Boss and others. 

Cone Park Branch works with its community partners to host the Juneteenth Celebration to foster a better understanding of history and provide families with a fun, educational event. Organizations and groups such as Gainesville Housing Authority, Department of Children and Families, PACE Center for Girls, Community Action Agency, Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, City of Gainesville/Bicycle-Pedestrian Program, GRACE Marketplace, Waste Management Recycling Program and others will have information available about their programs and opportunities for area youth as well as activities for children. The Library District will sign up kids, teens and adults for its Summer Reading Adventures. All ages are welcome.

Originally Posted by NickieK on June 9, 2015