The Rowan Area Minority Business Association will sponsor the second annual Juneteenth
Celebration Saturday at Kelsey Scott Park on Old Wilkesboro Road. Activities begin at 10
a.m. and are free.Juneteenth
is the oldest African-American celebration. The Emancipation Proclamation was passed on
Jan. 31, 1865, freeing all slaves. But it took until June for blacks in Texas to hear the
news. Once that had happened, joyous celebrations were held across the country.
Today, the event is celebrated on
June 19, emphasizing freedom, education and achievement.
RAMBA has invited area artists and
retailers to participate. At 1 p.m., the Rev. Kevin Bost will lead the prayer and Miss
RAMBA, Roslynn Wiseman, will give a welcoming address. East Spencer Mayor Pro Tem William
“Pete” Kennedy will speak on the history of Juneteenth.
Providing afternoon entertainment
are DJ Sam “The Music Man,” Maranda Fuller, Henderson Stout, Kenneth Carroll and
the VET Club.
Other activities will be sponsored
by Pride of Salisbury, the Iredell-Rowan Golfer’s Association, Salisbury Parks and
Recreation, Salisbury Posse, Jessie Ellis, Swann Boxing, The United Arts Council,
Elk’s Lodge and the Salisbury Police Department.
Included are games, food and
merchandise booths and horse and carriage rides.
The evening will feature several
acts, including the headliners, The Mighty Pilgrimaires of Salisbury, performing at 4 p.m.
The group was formed in 1976 by
Raymond Gray, Tyler Copeland and Rudolph Cornelius. Other original members were Eric Reid,
Stacy Cornelius, Velvie Gray and Kevin Rice.
Clarence Gray, Laura Gray, Sander
Steele and Roy Lee Smith have since joined.
The group has recorded several
albums, the most recent being “Lead Me.”
Other acts include The Sensational
Soul Seekers, Fred Thomas and the New Voice of Faith, Mount Vernon Gospel Choir, Silent
Expression Dance Group, Revelation, N.C. Youth Choir and others.
Raffle tickets will be sold for
$1. First place is $250, second place is a 19-inch TV and third place is $25.
For more information, call
636-2511. |
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