Sixth District Councilman Dee Andrews, along with the Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation & Marine, Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, St. Mary Medical Center, Long Beach Branch NAACP, Long Beach Ministers Alliance, Long Beach Boys & Girls Club and Long Beach YMCA will host the Annual Juneteenth Celebration which honors the end of slavery here in the United States. The celebration will take place from 11:00am to 2:30pm on Saturday, June 16, at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. 

Following the American Revolution, the United States was divided in its stance on slavery, with our Congress only legally exempting it from the Northwest Territory, or what would now be the contemporary states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and the northeastern part of Minnesota. 

After the Civil War ended in April of 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation — one of the most powerful documents of its time, not only guaranteeing the freedom of slaves within the Confederacy, but also permitting the enlisting of African Americans within the army — was enforced throughout the union. “Juneteenth” receives its name from federal troops arriving in Galveston, Texas to enforce the proclamation on June 19 of that same year. Other states as well as our own celebrate this event as Juneteenth. 

The celebration will showcase performances by local choirs, dance troops, and other entertainers during a good ole fashion community BBQ of hamburgers and hot dogs. Games such as the domino tournament and softball will be accessible to guests as well. There will be a health pavilion sponsored by St. Mary Medical Center which includes a variety of free health screenings. In essence — and as always — there is something for everyone at this year’s unique celebration. Guests are reminded to bring chairs and blankets for seating and comfort given the event is open-air.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Park is located at 1950 Lemon Avenue. For more information call the Office of Councilman Dee Andrews at (562) 570-6816.