Kids race in sacks and tug of war during the 18th Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Virginia Avenue Park on Saturday, June 19, 2010.

 

The City of Santa Monica and Juneteenth Celebration Committee, Inc. proudly presented the 18th Annual Juneteenth Celebration, “Sustaining Family, Faith, and Community”; commemorating June 19, 1865, the day the last African-American slaves in Texas were notified of their freedom 2 ½ years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. The thread of hope from the newly freed slaves has been sustained within the African-American history through the family, faith and community for 145 years. The festival  celebrated “Sustaining Family, Faith and Community” with music, cultural art and history.

Mistress of Ceremonies, story teller and actress, An’Nisa Mansour  led the audience through an odyssey of performance venues including a main stage and African-American legacy museum. The entertainment line-up featured jazz artist, Cikae, performing “Being” as featured in the newly released film, “Mother and Child”; the Billy “Drumsticks” Johnson & the Soul Kickers Blues Band; internationally known gospel trio Inspired Voices; the Black Shakespeare Reggae Band; hip hop music, poetry and more. Gospel choirs included First AME Church in Santa Monica, Venice Baptist Church and the Santa Monica College Emeritus Choir.

The legacy museum  featured a historical presentation on the contributions of African-Americans in the nation and local community, and the history of Juneteenth. Event attendees enjoyed a marketplace of cultural art and crafts, jewelry, a youth zone, literature and African-American cuisine including Juneteenth Texas BBQ, Platinum Connections Soul Food, and Louisiana Purchase Creole Dishes. The “Old Timers” car exhibit featuring vintage Model-T and Model-A cars were on display.

 

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