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Friday, July 30, 2010 |
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Juneteenth events honor history, heritage
Published June 17, 2009
SEGUIN — On June 19, 1865, two-and-a-half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, news reached Texas that the war had ended and slavery was abolished.
In honor of that day when Texas received word that the enslaved would be freed, Wilson Pottery Foundation and the United Methodist Men of Wesley-Harper are hosting events to keep the meaning of June 19 fresh in the minds of area residents.
Clifton Robinson, United Methodist Men of Wesley-Harper president, said the Wesley-Harper United Methodist Church at 754 W. Court St, will be holding a free Juneteenth event beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday with light refreshments at the end of the program.
The reception will offer a chance to learn a little history and to see some cultural arts, Robinson said.
The evening will feature music, art and a talk by a local historian and author of “Slave Transactions of Guadalupe County, Texas.”
“Mark Gretchen is going to be giving a speech about his book,” Robinson said. “Then we will have a display by Howard Crunk, who will display his artistry and then we have The Lampkin Family singers that will perform.”
Robinson said Crunk’s artwork pays tribute to African-American ancestry while The Lampkins, a well-known local gospel group, will be singing some of their old favorites and some of their newer recordings.
To continue the day of remembrance, on Saturday, June 20 at 10 a.m. in Starcke Park West the Wilson Pottery Foundation will host its first Juneteenth celebration and fundraiser.
Paula King, Wilson Pottery Foundation board secretary and coordinator of the event, said June 19 is a day that should be held in high regard for every generation.
“It’s to recognize the freedom that was granted, and to look back so we can look forward,” she said.
King said opening the ceremony with a few words will be Mayor Pro-Tem Don Keil, local NAACP President Joe Patterson, and the Wilson Potters Foundation President Laverne Britt.
“We are going to have someone read an except of the Emancipation Proclamation from when slaves were freed,” she said. “And we will have an individual read something from the governor at the time, who made a statement when he received the word, as well.”
Events of the day will consist of sack races, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, a watermelon-eating contest, a plank race and some activities for children.
Watching the events or partaking in them can take a lot of energy out of somebody, King said, and that’s where the fundraising begins.
“We are going to have a barbecue sale,” she said. “It is going to be a three-meat plate that is going to have brisket, chicken and sausage with all the trimmings for $7 and there will be baked goods and beverages available and a snow cone machine along with other vendors — some for the Seguin community and some from the San Antonio community.”
The foundation recently obtained a location for a Wilson Pottery Museum, and all of the proceeds from the day are going to go toward the remodeling of the building and to support the foundation, King said.
Looking toward the future King said she, along with the foundation members, hopes to make this an annual event and already has plans in the works for the future.
“Next year we are incorporating a golf tournament,” she said. “We have already reserved Starcke Park for Friday, June 18 next year to have a golf tournament and a swimming party for children at the wave pool, as well and a parade on Saturday morning.”
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