The local Juneteenth Committee has scheduled the annual celebration on June 14, a Saturday, at Kelsey Scott Park.
The event is free and open to the public and will feature a gospel music festival, dance show, classic car and motorcycle contest, horseshoe tournament and children’s activities section.
Along with the committee, major sponsors of this year’s celebration are First Legacy Federal Credit Union, Food Lion, Cheerwine, Wal-Mart and the city of Salisbury Parks and Recreation Department.
Juneteenth is a holiday that originated in Texas and recognized when slaves in that state got the delayed news of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves.
A Salisbury-Rowan committee held the first local Juneteenth celebrations in 1993.
This year’s motto is Celebration of Family and Community, and in a letter to the public, Juneteenth President Sherry Hawthorne said, “As our diverse communities continue to grow, our goal for the Juneteenth Celebration is to become more than an African American holiday, but a community event.”
Organizers are still looking for vendors who might like to offer food or other services that day. The fee is $55, and the committee asks vendors to apply by June 11. All food vendors also must have approval from the Rowan County Health Department.
Vendors or others with questions can call the following people: Hawthorne, 704-245-0425; Sarah Lightner or committee adviser Jill Burch, 704-637-6528, ext. 252; entertainment adviser Glenn Ford, 704-798-7238; Louis Jefferies, 704-433-4837; Mary Woodbury, 704-267-4183; Raymond Brooks, 704-798-7238; Krystal Connor, 336-995-4303; Michelle Bailey, 704-239-1208; Melton Griffith, 704-267-1572; Necole Fantt, 704-310-8935; Brian Miller, 704-267-0304; Carla Rankin, 704-636-2103; or Michelle Bethea, 704-636-6175.