SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Juneteenth Jubilee Planning Committee hosted its 4th Annual Juneteenth Jubilee Flag Raising in Mason Square Friday.
Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. Friday’s flag raising featured remarks from City Councilor Member at Large Tracye Whitfield and Senator Adam Gomez, a singing of the Black National Anthem by Vanessa Ford, and a recognition of the 2024 Miss Juneteenth and Jr Miss Juneteenth.
“We are celebrating the real emancipation of slavery in 1865 in Galveston, Texas. They didn’t know that they were free, and then they did, and ever since then they celebrated Juneteenth. We started the Juneteenth Jubilee Committee four years ago, but Juneteenth celebrations with the brethren and others have been going on with others for over 20 years,” said Whitfield.
The flag raising was the first of several events held this weekend in Springfield. The Juneteenth Jubilee Family Fun Day will kick off at Blunt Park Saturday at noon with kids’ activities, live performances, vendors, and food, all free of charge.
In Whitfield’s words, this weekend is a weekend of coming together and celebrating freedom.
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