By SALINA POST
A variety of activities are scheduled for the 2022 Salina Juneteenth Celebration.
Juneteenth has been celebrated on June 19 in the United States since 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced to enslaved people that the Civil War was over and slavery had been abolished under the terms of the Emancipation Proclamation that was issued more than two years earlier on Jan. 1, 1863, according to information on salinajuneteenth.org.
The term "Juneteenth" evolved from a mixture of "June" and "19th," according to the Salina Juneteenth website.
Juneteenth was made a federal holiday in 2021. This year, the federal holiday will be observed on June 20.
In 2007, the Salina Juneteenth committee was formed and the group's first celebration in Salina occurred on June 16-17, 2007.
A number of activities are scheduled in Salina as a part of the Juneteenth celebration. Following is the schedule for the Salina celebration as provided by the Salina Juneteenth Committee.
Friday
6:30 p.m., Jammin’ Jay Lamont, Great Plains Manufacturing Convention Hall at Tony’s Pizza Events Center, 800 The Midway
Known as the Human iPod, Lamont is scheduled to perform as part of a special Juneteenth celebration to benefit Salina's St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church. A barbecue dinner is to be served at 6:30 p.m., with Lamont's performance at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person for the meal and show. General admission tickets for the show only are available for $25.
7 p.m., Wreath Laying Memorial, Gypsum Hill Cemetery, 2020 E. Iron
Join us for a memorial service in honor of Dana Adams. Adams was a 20-year-old Salina man who was lynched by a mob in 1893 and has never received justice. We remember him and others who were almost forgotten on this occasion.
READ: Dana Adams remembrance, marker dedication on Juneteenth Weekend
Saturday at St. John's Missionary Baptist Church, 215 S. Chicago Street
8-10 a.m., All-U-Can Eat Pancake Feed
Join us for breakfast to kick off our 2022 celebration! Tickets are $3 per person and include one serving of sausage, juice, and coffee.
11 a.m.-1 p.m., Gospel Extravaganza
With special guests such as Roy Moye III, finalist on BET’s Sunday Best. Join our local choirs, praise dancers, and worship teams for a service you won’t forget!
2-5 p.m., Block Party
We will finish the day with an afternoon of games, vendors, music and good food! Our featured vendor, The Kansas Black Farmers Association will be present to do COVID-19 outreach and provide information for young people interested in farming.*
8:30-11:30 p.m., Annual Dance, Martinelli’s Little Italy, 158 S. Santa Fe Avenue
Dance the night away with us during our formal party! Tickets are $15 per person. Cash bar and hors d’œuvres will be available. To purchase tickets or for more information, please go to salinajuneteenth.org.
*The Kansas Black Farmers Association mobile vaccination van will be on site from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. with free vaccinations, testing, and kits! $25 gift cards for vaccinations, and many other giveaways will be available. First, second, and third doses, for children ages five and up. Medical staff will be present to respond to questions, according to information from the Salina Juneteenth Committee.