Juneteenth Day- "Celebration of Freedom"

Short story I just wrote up for the Advertiser. This celebration is a pretty big deal for Laurens. The fact that the city is sponsoring this event shows a great deal of growth in this small southern town.

Juneteenth Day- "Celebration of Freedom"
by Kathleen Brown
For The Advertiser

In celebration of Emancipation and the unity of all races in the United States, the Wal-Mart Distribution Center and the City of Laurens are sponsoring the county’s third “Juneteenth Day” this Saturday, June 20, at Laurens’ Little River Park, according to event coordinator Michael Washington. The celebration commemorates the delivery of the Emancipation Proclamation to Texas citizens.

Laurens is one of six other South Carolina counties that recognize Juneteenth Day. Washington, Wal-Mart Distribution’s Human Resource Director, has been the driving force behind the event for three years.

“Juneteenth Day is the largest African American event taking place in Laurens, and we’re very excited to be a part of it.”

Rather than celebrating the actual Emanciapation Day, Juneteenth recognizes the date that the last American slaves were freed. Communication between states was not easy then, and it was June 19th, 1865, when Union soldiers finally brought the news to Galvaston, Texas, that Lincoln had freed the slaves. It must have been a relief to the enslaved African Americans working in the fields in Texas, just as it had been to those in the East two years before.

In remembrance of this day, Americans all over the country have celebrated during June simply under the name, Juneteenth Day. According to the Juneteenth official website, Juneteenth.com, this year marks 144 years that the day has been recognized as the oldest celebration for the end of slavery in the U.S.



Although Juneteenth Day celebrates the end of slavery in America, the day has come to represent a broader theme, and also emphasizes education and achievement, according to the organization’s website.

Laurens’ “Celebration of Freedom” is scheduled for Saturday. Festivities will take place at the Little River Park where they will begin at 1 p.m. and continue until 7 p.m. The day will include food vendors, speakers, music provided by a disc jockey, dance performances, and many other activities.


This year, Washington has been able to better advertise the event this year, but he said he plans to blanket the city, county, and even surrounding counties with fliers about the event.

“A lot of people are just not aware that this celebration exists,” he said.

The program will feature several prominent speakers from the community including Mayor Sharon Brownlee. Washington is grateful for the support that the city has given this project.

“The city basically started this, and we have really been able to get connected with them and collaborate our efforts,” Washington said.

He would like attendants to walk away with a full stomach, fond memories, and a new understanding of America’s history.

“Our main intent is to educate people,” Washington said. “We are moving on, but in a forward direction of growth.”

For more information on Juneteenth Day, contact Michael Washington at (864) 682-1465 or (864) 908-3658.