Kent Black Action Commission (KBAC) presents its sixth annual Juneteenth Celebration and Festival on Saturday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to dusk, at Morrill Meadows Park, 10600 SE 248th St., Kent.
The family-friendly, community-wide, cultural celebration commemorates African-American freedom. It is free to the public.
Juneteenth turns 152 this year. It has been 152 years since the word of the signing, on Sept. 22, 1862, of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached Galveston, Texas, over 2½ years after the fact, on June 19, 1865. Each year on or about June 19, celebrations take place throughout the United States to remember and pay homage of the historic day.
It is the oldest, nationally-celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the country.
The opening ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. There will be a lineup of speakers, lunch provided by KBAC, games for children, a community dance and vendors showcasing their services and products.
Nationally known Seattle jazz guitarist Michael Powers returns to anchor the concert in the park.
For those who would like to support KBAC in its ongoing efforts, donations can be made to the organization’s GoFundMe account. http://www.gofundme.com/sum6bs
To learn more, visit kentblackactioncommission.org or Facebook.
For more information, email KbacKent@gmail.com, contact Gwen Allen-Carston at 253-486-9029, or Azalea Johnson at 253-631-7944 for vendor inquiries.
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