Several events are scheduled in Abilene to celebrate Juneteenth.
June 19 is recognized as a federal holiday and a state holiday in Texas. It is celebrated in observance of the end of slavery in the U.S.
Let Us Breathe Abilene is hosting Juneteenth in Stevenson Park, 441 E.N. Seventh St., Wednesday and Thursday.
From 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Abilenians can enjoy live music, a community kickball game and free fish fry in the park.
Thursday from 8 a.m.-10 p.m., the community is invited to enjoy food trucks, vendors, live performances, a kids zone and giveaways. Free lunch will be served 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
West to East Community will host a Juneteenth Celebration for adults age 55 and up 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday at Rose Park Senior Center, 2625 S. Seventh St.
Attendees will enjoy bingo from 10-11 a.m. and a free lunch 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Taylor County offices and the city of Abilene will be closed Thursday in observance of the federal holiday.
The Juneteenth holiday had its origins in Texas. The holiday celebrates the emancipation of slaves following the Civil War. On June 19, 1865, Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and announced the freeing of slaves and the enforcement of their emancipation in Texas. That was long after President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation.
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