Previewing Juneteenth celebration in Sioux Falls

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – While many South Dakotans may be anticipating the celebration of the nation’s independence on July 4, a faster-approaching holiday is celebrating another milestone of freedom.

Thursday marks the fifth year Juneteenth will be recognized as a federal holiday around the country.

The holiday recognizes the day when slaves in Texas were informed that slavery was abolished in the United States.

This year’s celebration will once again take place at the Avera IT building and like last year, all faces are welcome as the Sioux Falls NAACP hopes as many people come as possible and learn the importance of the day in US history.

“Juneteenth is the celebration of the emancipation proclamation and the freedom of all people in the United States and think that’s one really big standout for Juneteenth,” SF NAACP Treasurer Ashley Clements said.

Clements said every year she has celebrated the holiday, it only gets bigger and better.

“I see each time we celebrate, more and more people coming out, not just the young people you think might be there, but people of all races, all walks of life, coming to learn more of the holiday. I think the number one thing is curiosity, what is this about? How do we celebrate it? What are we doing?” Clements said.

This year, attendees can expect some familiar activities with a new message.

“The year’s festival is entitled ‘Family Reunion,’ and that’s what I think people can come to expect, is really homey feel, really welcoming, we’re going to have yard games, we’ll have activities for kids, the education piece, we’ll also still have musical artists, line dancing, bean toss,” Clements explained.

South Dakota was the last state to formally commemorate Juneteenth, but it has been celebrated in Sioux Falls since 2007.

Event organizers are still looking for some volunteers, you can see how you can help on the Sioux Falls NAACP Facebook page.