By OLIVIA BERGMEIER
Lead Reporter - Salina Post
Complete with the thrum of music from City Lights Stage and the chatter between vendors and visitors — Salina celebrated Juneteenth in downtown to uplift the spirit of freedom.
Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, found out they were finally free after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, two years earlier.
In 2021, the United States Government solidified the memorialized day as a federal holiday, with towns and communities celebrating with city-wide parties, parades and gatherings.
"Seeing the community come together to celebrate not only a date that's important to us as African Americans but also a day that should be important to Americans in general, as it's a part of American history, not just Black history," said Margaret Dixon, Salina Juneteenth Committee president. "When I look out, and I see the diversity of the people, that makes my heart glad."
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About a dozen vendors and local advocacy groups surrounded City Lights Stage on Saturday, June 22, with rotating entertainment throughout the afternoon.
Salina City Mayor Bill Longbine also addressed the crowd to commemorate the day of celebration.
"Let us remember the history and significance of this day in 1865 when, on June 19, all African Americans were granted freedoms afforded to all Americans," Longbine said. "Our hope is by celebrating, future generations will learn and appreciate the history and legacy of the African American community."
Local Salina businesses like BeYOUtiful Creations by AS joined the celebration and sold Juneteenth-inspired apparel alongside other examples of her custom designs.
"I really enjoy the more recognition that it's getting, and the fact that we can come together as people and celebrate something that probably should have been celebrated by everybody," said Adria Smith, owner of BeYOUtiful Creations.
Click the arrows on the left and right of the window above to see photos from the 2024 Juneteenth Celebration.