Juneteenth in July?

When the Center for Cultural Awareness was searching for acommunity wide event where it could get the word out about its services, Outreach Worker Liza Moreland stumbled upon the notion of Juneteenth Celebration, which celebrates the end of American slavery.

“President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863 and two and a half years later on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas with the news that the war had ended and that’s when the slaves were freed,” Moreland said.

“So now Juneteenth is celebrated as an annual event in cities, churches and homes across the United States.

“They consider that a time of reassurance, reflection, prayer and jubilation. So basically we tried to make it into a type of thing where we pull all of the cultures together because we know that without all cultures or nationalities, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we have today.”

The third annual Center for Cultural Awareness Juneteenth Celebration takes place from 6 to 9 p.m., June 13 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 14 at Sandusky Bay Pavilion.
The event includes a “Music Under The Stars” theme on June 13 and the “Sandusky’s Got Talent” Competition on June 14.

The former includes plenty of musical acts, while the latter is centered around a singing contest for people ages 30 and up (a $10 entry fee is required).
Throughout the free two-day affair will be pie baking contests, Underground Railroad tours, food vendors and more.

Furthermore, the Juneteenth Celebration fits squarely into the mission statement behind the Center for Cultural Awareness.

This private, non-profit agency, which has the mission to provide culturally competent services to empower and enhance the quality of life for youth and families ofculturally diverse backgrounds, offers prevention, education and supplementary mental health services in Erie County.

While originated as a celebration marking the end to slavery in America, Moreland stresses the Sandusky Juneteenth Celebration is open to everyone.

“It’s for the whole family and we haven’t targeted any one nationality,” Moreland said. “This year our theme is ‘Healing For the Community.’ The reason we’re doing that is we looked at all of the different things happening around here, with the war and economy. We’re hoping that people can gather together for a day of relaxation.

“So just bring the family out and have some fun.”

For more information call419-621-1117 or visit juneteenth.com.