Juneteenth celebrates the formal celebration of the United States' emancipation from slavery. Austin Parks and Recreation Department coordinates several celebrations - Adult Dance, Fine Arts Festival, Carnival, Community Parades, Basketball Tournament, Juneteenth Pageant and Parade. Many of the activities are coordinated with the Greater East Austin Youth Association (GEAYA).

On January 1, 1863, as church bells extolled the news that President Lincoln had issued his promised Emancipation Proclamation, slaves and sympathizers in Boston, Washington, Richmond, New York and other cities danced in the streets, sang praises unto God and cried tears of joy.

Although, General Robert E. Lee surrendered his confederate army on April 9, 1865, the Trans-Mississippi Department States, under the leadership of Texas generals and officials had already set into motion schemes for prolonging the war in the Southwest. Federal forces smothered their efforts and General Kirby Smith surrendered the Confederate holdouts in Galveston Bay on June 2, 1863.

30 months after President Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation, General Gordon Granger, who had been placed in command of the Federal occupation troops arrived at Galveston Bay, June 19, 1865. He issued General Order No. 3 - Emancipation. This was the birth of Juneteenth in Texas.

Juneteenth Celebrations were held informally for 114 years. In 1978, State Representative Al Edwards of Houston envisioned that blacks could have a formal celebration of emancipation of slavery. During his first year as a legislator he authored the most meaningful piece of legislation for the black community that had ever existed int he history of Texas or any other state. He wrote and lobbied to get passed into law the bill making June 19th a legal state holiday, the first official black holiday in the United States.After numerous of the Texas House of Representatives and Senate within the last twenty-four hours of Texas' 66th Legislative Session. At a memorable and historical ceremony on the grounds of Texas' State Capitol in Austin, hundreds of supporters witnessed the bill's being signed into law by Governor William P. Clements on June 13, 1979. As a result Rep. Edward's efforts, Texas now witness the the "New Celebrations of Juneteenth," an Official State Holiday.
Activities include (but are not limited to):

Friday, June 15th

Pre-Juneteenth Teens Dance
7 p.m. – 11pm $5.00
Location: Givens Recreation Center
3811 E. 12th St.

Juneteenth Adult Dance
9 p.m. – 12midnight
Location: Doris Miller Auditorium - $5.00 Donation
2300 Rosewood Avenue

Saturday, June 16th
Entertainment in the Park - 6 p.m. - 10pm
Free
Concert - 6 pm / Movie
Location: Rosewood Park Pavilion 1182 North Pleasant Valley Rd.

Monday, June 18th
Intergenerational Pre Juneteenth Celebration 10 am -2pm
Location: Rosewood Park Pavilion
1182 North Pleasant Valley Rd.

Tuesday, June 19th

Juneteenth Parade 10 am – 10pm
Location: (lineup12th/Comal/MLK)
9:15am Tour de Hood Bikers
9:30am 2-K Freedom Run &Walk
9:50am Motor Cycle Ride
10:00am Traditional Juneteenth Parade (MLK-Chicon-Rosewod Ave.

Juneteenth Community Festival
Location: Rosewood Park 2300 Rosewood Ave.
12:30pm Historical Community Program
1:00pm Juneteenth Festival – Rosewood Park
Activities: Motor Cycle Show - Chestnut Street
Food & Information Vendors, Arts Exhibition, Kids Area
Entertainment Stages: Hip Hop Stage, Christian Rap Stage
For more information Contact: Mini Freeman 443-3065