Multi-Cultural Festival Brings Celebration to Downtown

By Kizzy Howell, City of Douglasville

The Black Education Historical Exhibit (BEHE) of Douglasville is proud to present Juneteenth 2013. Through a festive celebration, the multi-cultural event celebrates the ending of slavery in the United States, which officially took place June 19, 1865—two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to free all slaves. “Juneteenth is a significant moment in African-American and U.S. history, and gives all citizens the opportunity to come together and celebrate the freedoms that make this nation great,” said BEHE President Frankie Morris.

BEHE’s Juneteenth Celebration will take place Friday, June 14 and Saturday, June 15. An exclusive thank you reception for sponsors and invited guests will be held Friday at the Hunter Park Community Center sponsored by Kaiser Permanente and ShawHankins. The Juneteenth Celebration will continue Saturday with a free family-fun festival in downtown Douglasville, and is open to the public to attend. The festival will take place on O'Neal Plaza with select activities held at the new Douglasville Conference Center and the Old Douglas County Courthouse Museum. The festival includes, live entertainment, health screenings provided by WellStar, tours of the BEHE museum, vendors, ethnic foods, arts and crafts, historical storytelling, bingo, and children activities, as well as a special guest appearance by Praise 102.5 radio host KD Bowe.

“Join us as we celebrate this triumphant milestone in America’s history. The Juneteenth Festival offers a variety of fun family activities for all cultures to enjoy, and continues to grow each year,” said Douglas County Commissioner Henry Mitchell, III, Chairman for the Juneteenth board.

To become a vendor at the 2013 Juneteenth Festival, or for more information, call 770-947-5920. Juneteenth is a production of the Black Education Historical Exhibit (BEHE) and is supported in part by the City of Douglasville and Douglas County Government. The Juneteenth board is chaired by Douglas County Commissioner Henry Mitchell, III and co-chaired by Samuel Davis, City Councilman.

The 2013 Juneteenth Celebration was made possible by the following sponsors: Greater Mount Olive Overcoming Church of God, GreyStone Power Corporation, John Thornton Chevrolet, Kaiser Permanente, Praise 102.5, Publix, ShawHankins, St. James A.M.E Church, Tranquil A.M.E Church, Tri Mu Omega Psi Phi, and Zen Massage Center.