BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Saturday night was the conclusion of 2024 Juneteenth celebrations with Blues Fest. The event was held at the Palace Theatre following events all day.
The Brazos Valley African American Heritage and Cultural Society put on the events. President of BVAAHCS, Harold Eaton, told KBTX the importance of the events is to impress upon our young people the history of the people who came before us and what they had to endure to get to where we are today.
“We need to continue to celebrate the oldest holiday associated with black people in this country. And we are not the only ones who enjoy freedom from it. We are all enjoying our freedom,” said Eaton.
He says this is the 13th continuous year they’ve held the Juneteenth celebrations. But he says they need a a philanthropic organization to underwrite the event so they can keep it going.
Along with Eaton, Paul Madison is one of the founders of the local celebrations.
“My favorite part is to bring everyone in and let them celebrate our heritage. And its open to everyone. We do it every year, we want everyone to be involved,” said Madison. He says what they are doing is taking up a legacy from their fathers 50, 60 years ago.
Blues Fest included two bands. Eugene Eugene and Pa’zazz out of Houston.
Juneteenth marks the day that enslaved people found out they were free two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, when Union troops arrived in Galveston.
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