June is an eventful month every year with the start of summer, vacations, the warm weather, and the celebration of Juneteenth.
The history of Juneteenth dates back to June 19, 1865, when the Union soldiers arrived in Galveston to announce the freedom of slaves in Texas. While the Emancipation Proclamation was established in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln, it wasn’t fully enforced in Texas yet. The first celebration happened the following year on June 19, 1866. These celebrations involved church gatherings, parades, and community fests. Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021.
Juneteenth has been celebrated in Memphis for over three decades with festivals, concerts, food, and artistic expression, and Juneteenth Fest at the Cordova Library is one of the many celebrations happening here in the next two weeks. This will be the library’s fourth year hosting the fest, and, according to the library’s manager, Francis Mathews, there’s always a good turnout.
Mathews says, “The fest celebrates local artists and creatives with entertainment, poetry readings, cooking instructors, and choirs from Cordova High School.” There will be festivities for people of all ages like performances by African drummers and jookin’ dancers, Juneteenth-themed story time with the children, making Juneteenth quilts, and decorating Juneteenth flags. The fest will also be selling food like hot dogs, chips, drinks, snow cones, and other desserts. Accessories and home décor will be sold as well.
The fest will be on Saturday, June 14th, at the Cordova Library from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This celebration is all about the community coming together and supporting all aspects of African-American culture.
Juneteenth Fest, Cordova Library, 8457 Trinity, Saturday, June 14, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.