Children enjoying bounce houses was one feature of the fourth annual Juneteenth Celebration held recently on the Coshocton Court Square. It also feature live music from Reee Jhordan, free food, speakers and other activities. The goal of the event was to celebrate culture, diversity and freedom. Made a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth celebrates the ending of slavery in the United States.

COSHOCTON − About 60 people attended the fourth annual Juneteenth Celebration Wednesday on the Coshocton Court Square hosted by Coshoctonians for Peace and Equality. It’s a non-partisan grassroots community group dedicated to bringing people together across racial divides and advocating for racial justice in Coshocton County.

Juneteenth is a state and national holiday commemorating the day the last enslaved people received their freedom, more than two years after Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

Rese Jhordan, a singer-songwriter from Newark, performed. Attendees were treated to steaks, burgers and hotdogs fresh off the grill. Later in the night, groups gathered in the Rotary Pavilion to dance the Electric Slide and Macarena, according to a new release from Coshoctonians for Peace and Equality.

Layla Mbaye, 11, of Canal Lewisville, reads a speech she wrote at the recent Juneteenth Celebration on the Coshocton Court Square.

Layla Mbaye, 11, of Canal Lewisville, gave a speech about the history and meaning of Juneteenth. She said as a young Black girl she feels deeply connected to the history of Juneteenth and the culture, achievements and progress made by the descendants of enslaved people.

“It reminds me of the importance of knowing where we came from and the sacrifices made so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today,” she said. “It also encourages me to keep striving for a future where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of skin color.”

Lucy Bryan Malenke speaks at the Juneteenth Celebration recently on the Coshocton Court Square.

Lucy Bryan Malenke, one of the founders of CPE, gave a speech recounting the 1885 lynching of Henry Howard, which took place on June 19 in the Coshocton County Court Square exactly 128 years prior, the release stated.

“Howard’s lynching reflects a terrible failure to live up to the values our nation was founded upon,” Malenke said. “While we have not always honored those values — as a country, as a community, as individuals — we can choose to honor them today. Just being here, celebrating Juneteenth is a wonderful way to show you care about equality and freedom. I hope you will join me in continuing to advocate for a community where everyone who lives here feels free to be themselves and live joyfully.”

The event was made possible due to contributions from the Coshocton Elks, Pod and Goggles, Kids America, Chili Crossroads Bible Church, the Wooly Pig Farm Brewery, Michelle and Mark Kittel and many volunteers.

Following the event, Brittany Mbaye, who was the principle planner this year, said, “My heart is overflowing with joy…Today was a beautiful testament to the power of community and celebration. I am so grateful for the growth and success of this event each year.”