Tempe Pays Tribute To Juneteenth With Community Festival

Tempe AZ

17 June, 2021

12:27 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Tempe: June 17, 2021 The Tempe History Museum and the African American Advisory Committee have partnered this year to bring the community together for a tribute to Juneteenth, a celebration of the day in history when the last enslaved African American people heard about the abolition of slavery. The community is invited to commemorate the day at an in-person festival at the Tempe History Museum. Free, on-site COVID-19 vaccinations will also be available throughout the event (while supplies last). When: Friday, June 18, 7-9 p.m. Where: Tempe History Museum, 809 E. Southern Ave. (outdoor and indoor activities) Festival activities Table exhibits and information African American art booths inside Tempe History Museum Hands-on activities for kids Food trucks Hands-on displays inside Tempe History Museum Informational displays featuring Black firefighters of Tempe's past and present Walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations (registration is not required, first come, first-served) Main stage lineup beginning at 7 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance Black National Anthem "Lift Every Voice and Sing" Presentation of Proclamations by Mayor Corey Woods for the City of Tempe and by Barry Wong for the State of Arizona Scholarship and award presentations Performances by community singers and performers Presentation of "Our Stories" highlighting the women leaders of the African American Advisory Committee Livestream the program at https://fb.me/e/J7L5zrtz. Online learning resources An array of digital education resources are also available at tempe.gov/aaac. Valley residents can explore last year's online exhibit, "Our Stories", an ongoing project highlighting significant people who have made a difference in Tempe, plus much more. About Juneteenth Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, an important day in U.S. history when the last enslaved African American people heard about the abolition of slavery. Though the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln, it took more than two years for word to reach as far as Galveston, Texas. Juneteenth marks the day when freedom from slavery became a reality for all African Americans in the former Confederate States of America. The annual Juneteenth Celebration is presented by the African American Advisory Committee, and Tempe History Museum. Visit tempe.gov/museum or call 480-350-5100 for more information. This press release was produced by the City of Tempe. The views expressed here are the author's own.