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MEDINA, Ohio – For the fourth year in a row, the Medina community will come together in the city’s historic square to observe Juneteenth.

“Last year we think we had well over 600 people and we are hoping for more people this year,” said Pam Miller, one of the organizers of the event. “Each year the event has grown both with visitors and with vendors who want to participate.”

This year’s event will take place Saturday, June 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Emmy Winning Fox 8 News Morning Show reporter, Kenny Crumpton will serve as emcee and Danita Harris, anchor of Channel 3 WKYC’s “Go!” Morning Show will return as keynote speaker. Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital will again be the title sponsor.

“We don’t have all our entertainment lined up yet, but we are having the Sanyuka Children’s Choir from Uganda and a Motown jazz band,” Miller said. “We will have more information closer to the event.”

Steering Committee members include Pastor Arthur Ruffin of Second Baptist Church, Tracey Ruffin of Sister Circle Medina, Pam Miller with The Medina Diversity Project, Medina Mayor Dennis Hanwell, George Sam of Main Street Medina and other partners.

“Our mission for this celebration is to bring all Americans together to celebrate our common bond of freedom through the observance, education and recognition of Juneteenth in America,” Tracey Ruffin said.

In addition to sponsors, the Juneteenth steering committee is seeking businesses, especially Black-owned businesses, entertainers, artists and other interested organizations to participate in the event. For vendor and sponsorship information, contact Pastor Ruffin at 330-328-3221. Deadline to participate is April 15.

First recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S. On June 19, 1865, two months after the Confederate Army surrendered to end the Civil War and more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, the Union Army reached Galveston, Texas with news that the war was over and slaves were now free. June 19, or “Juneteenth,” was celebrated in Texas and across the south and its observance eventually grew throughout the country.

“This celebration of Juneteenth is an opportunity for our community to challenge racism, to reflect on the fact that four million people were enslaved in our country for more than 250 years,” Arthur Ruffin said. “We want to celebrate African American freedom and achievement, to promote appreciation of African American history and culture. It’s more important now than ever before, for us to come together in solidarity, to acknowledge our past, and to commit to a future that recognizes the contributions of all Americans regardless of the color of their skin.”

Miller said anyone who wants to volunteer for the event can sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4BABAA2CA5F8C34-55838209-4thannual.