ABBEVILLE, Ala. (WTVY) – Abbeville commemorated Juneteenth by having an all-day celebration.
The Jolly Club of Abbeville hosted the event for people to hear from guest speakers, enjoy some food and drinks, inflatables and games.
There was even a two-and-a-half mile walk that represented the two-and-a-half years from the time the Emancipation Proclamation was signed until the U.S. Army went into Texas and freed enslaved African Americans on June 19, 1865.
Although people had lots of fun at the event, the main goal was to bring everyone, no matter their skin color, together.
“It’s not just a day for African Americans. It’s not just a celebration of our heritage, but it’s a fabric of America to say ‘Here’s the piece that makes all of us the melting pot of the great United States,” said Kotina Hall, the event’s DJ that goes by DJ Hallywood.
Abbeville native Hall DJ’ed and emceed the city’s Juneteenth celebration.
While she currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, she says it’s an amazing feeling to come home and celebrate such a historic holiday with other locals.
“I think it’s a coming together of people, but not just African American people but a rich tradition to say ‘Hey, we’re here, we’ve arrived and we’re a community. We’re a part of the fabric of America,” Hall explained.
The Jolly Club hopes to make the Juneteenth celebration an annual event.
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