A strong breeze carried the smell of grilling meat Saturday as people gathered in east Yakima to commemorate Juneteenth and the end of slavery in the United States.
The Yakima County NAACP has hosted its annual Juneteenth celebration for more than 30 years. The event at Southeast Community Park featured regular offerings such as food vendors and resource booths, along with information from HUD for low-income first-time home buyers.
This year, organizers and supporters thanked soon-to-retire Yakima Police Chief Matt Murray for his work in the community, said James Parks, president of the Yakima County NAACP. Murray announced in early May that his last day would be June 30. He came to the department as chief in 2019.
James Parks, left, recognizes Yakima police chief Matt Murray for his service to the community during a Juneteenth celebration at Southeast Community Park Saturday, June 15, 2024, in Yakima, Wash.
“We see the work he’s done,” Parks said. “I live in District 1 and he’s taken a special interest to make sure officers are doing community policing. … You can see the difference, especially in District 1.”
Juneteenth is a state and federal holiday recognizing June 19, 1865, when the last slaves in the United States learned they were free. Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the Emancipation Proclamation that had been enacted in 1863.
It’s important to remember history at special events and gatherings such as Saturday’s Juneteenth event, Parks said. “If we forget about history, we’re condemning ourselves to go right back,” he said.
Saturday’s celebration in Yakima began as it has before, with a Freedom Ride from Central Lutheran Church to the park.
NAACP officials spoke with Murray not long after he began in Yakima.
“You gave it to us the way it was. Some of the points that we brought up, you guys weren’t able to reach those points, but you met us halfway,” Parks said. “You put boots on the ground.”
“This means a lot to me. It really does,” Murray said.
The caravan of several vehicles headed east along Yakima Avenue before turning on Sixth Street to head over to the park. Festivities were scheduled to continue until 5 p.m. and include a free throw or 3-point basketball challenge and the Mr. and Ms. Juneteenth contest.
As members of the African American Drummers group performed under sunny skies, event organizers Carol Garza and Adrianne Garner sat at a picnic table discussing last-minute details and trying to keep papers from blowing away.
Garner mentioned another special community event happening at the same time as the Juneteenth celebration. Volunteers had a car wash at Harvest Honda to raise funds for the pool at MLK Park. Almost 150 government officials and community members gathered in early May to break ground on the long-promised pool. The new aquatic center is set to open in 2025.
People can donate through the Yakima Valley Community Foundation website by choosing to donate now and contribute to the Aquatic Center at MLK Jr. Park Fund. Learn more at splashyakima.org.
