The Gainesville–Hall County Black History Society will host a free event Saturday in celebration and remembrance of Juneteenth.
Devin Pandy, a member of the Gainesville–Hall County Black History Society, recently spoke to AccessWDUN to discuss the significance of the holiday and invite the community to celebrate along with the organization.
“It's a very important day for all Americans,” Pandy said. “Also known as Emancipation Day, it's a day where we celebrate the end of the Civil War and the freeing of more than 250,000 enslaved people in Texas. “
Pandy noted that although the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed by Abraham Lincoln more than two years earlier, Texas had yet to put it into effect.
“That's what makes it such a significant day,” he said. “These 250,000 slaves were enslaved two and a half years long after they were supposedly free.”
The celebration will be Saturday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. across the campus of Fair Street International School in Gainesville. Pandy noted the venue also holds historical significance.
“Fair Street itself has a rich history in Gainesville, and holds a very deep meaning for the residents of Gainesville Southside community,” he said. “ It was founded in 1937, and it was for a time, the only school that black students could attend in the area. But it was also used to teach. It was used for meetings and social gatherings, athletic events. And so, with all of that history, here in Gainesville, and for the Southside community, I couldn't think of a better place to hold the Juneteenth Celebration.”
The celebration will be a family-friendly event for the entire community that will feature a live DJ, games, arts and crafts, and a parade. Attendees can also expect to see clothing and food vendors, along with educational resources and displays about Juneteenth.
While the event has been hosted many years in the past, this year’s celebration holds a deeper significance for the Gainesville–Hall County Black History Society in that there will be a Proclamation Ceremony by both the City of Gainesville and Hall County officially declaring June 19 Juneteenth.
“It is an important distinction that we are very excited about and extremely proud of,” Pandy said.
In years past, the event has opened its doors to 300-500 people. The Gainesville–Hall County Black History Society hopes to continue to grow the celebration.
“Our goal is every year to take that 300 and bump it up to 500, and then bump it up to 800 so that everyone in Gainesville- Hall County and the surrounding areas can come out and enjoy this great day with us,” Pandy said.
Pandy also emphasized that all are welcome to come to celebrate.
“It is important to recognize that Juneteenth is not just Black History, it’s American History,” he said. "Everyone is invited and welcome to come out on Saturday, June 17 to help celebrate Juneteenth. We are celebrating the past and inspiring the future. And how we do things here in Gainesville is always better when we celebrate together. So, I ask everyone to please come out and celebrate this historic day with us.”
