It was on that first Juneteenth that Texans learned that - two years earlier in 1863 - President Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation ordering the freedom of all slaves in states that were rebelling against Union forces.
“Juneteenth is not just a regular day,” said June Pinchback, charter member of the association. “I think about what (Juneteenth) means and it means that people were freed and chains were broken.”
The association had a flag-raising ceremony honoring the cemetery and officially opening the weekend’s Juneteenth celebration.
“Today is a special day,” said Susan Peoples, president of the association. “We have a lot of history here to be proud of.”
The cemetery takes its name from the stars that helped guide slaves to their freedom before the close of the Civil War. There are fewer than 100 markers, but close to 500 individuals buried in the cemetery, from slaves to veterans of the Spanish-American War and World wars, according to a historical marker at the site.
“I believe the more respect you give to the dead, it reflects the respect you give to yourself,” said James Jackson, vice president of the association.
Carl Pleasant, principal of Wheatley Alternative Education Center, spoke about the impact the Juneteenth Association has had on the students he works with. Pleasant mentioned that the students who help the association come back with a better understanding of the historical ramifications Juneteenth had on their lives.
“You’re touching lives in your work and it’s not in vain,” Pleasant said.
The Juneteenth celebration continues today with the crowning of Miss Juneteenth and Lil’ Miss Juneteenth at a celebration beginning at 6 p.m. at the Gober Party House in Temple.
At 7 p.m., there will be a fashion show sponsored by Tonya Terelle, fashion director for Lavis Models.
The Teen Summer Fling Dance will begin at 9 p.m. as a way for community teens to celebrate Juneteenth in a safe and stable environment. Admission is $7.
On Saturday, the annual Juneteenth parade will be at 10 a.m. and go from Martin Luther King Drive to Ferguson Park. Events and programs at the park will begin at 11 a.m. and a barbecue lunch prepared by the Juneteenth Association will be available at noon. Juneteenth T-shirts will be available for purchase, with all proceeds going to the association.
After the luncheon, the new Miss Juneteenth and Lil’ Miss Juneteenth will be presented to the audience. There will also be vendor booths, water activities for children and musical entertainment.
