Introduction: The Staunton Education Foundation, Inc. & the Shenandoah Valley Kiwanis Club will host the third annual Juneteenth Celebration at Montgomery Hall Park on June 22, 2019 in collaboration with the Shenandoah Valley Juneteenth Celebration Committee.
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery. Dating back to 1865, this historical date commemorates June 19 when Union soldiers led by General Gordon Grainger arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce that the Civil War had ended and that all slaves were free. This was two and a half years after President Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom and a respect for all cultures and their history. This event will have a variety of activities for everyone including: children’s activity area, live entertainment, food, vendors, music, information booths, voter registration, raffles, health screenings, fun, fellowship, and networking. For more information, please contact Chairperson Sheila Ahmadi at sahmadi13@icloud.com.
