Yuma NAACP Chapter invites the community to their Juneteenth celebration
It's taking place at Carver Park on Saturday, June 17 from 6-10 p.m.
YUMA, Ariz. (KECY, KYMA) - Yuma's National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Chapter has been operating for 91 years, and they’re set to host another memorable Juneteenth celebration on Saturday evening from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Carver Park.
Juneteenth is now recognized as a federal holiday, and it marks the day slaves in the West heard they were free.
Gaining their freedom in America long after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation 1863.
“Then General Granger rode into Galveston, declared martial law, and freed the slaves, and that was in 1865,” Michelle Smith, the NAACP treasurer said.
To honor that moment, the Yuma NAACP has a lot planned for this Saturday.
Including live music, face painting, and first responder demonstrations.
“Don’t let it be an evening where you sit at home and watch tv. Come out with your kids, and there are bike giveaways, so I would think if your kids come they might be winners,” Delsa Danett Dixon said.
The giveaways and more are all possible thanks to the support for the event from sponsors, and the City of Yuma.
Which is waiving the park fees, and will also be closed on Monday, June 19 for the holiday.
“Everybody has pitched in like I said the city, Coke is bringing us a bunch of stuff, Candy Camarena is our main sponsor, we have stuff coming from the Q for raffles, we just have a lot going on,” Yuma NAACP Chairperson Beverly Cade said.
A lot will be going on to properly commemorate the historic day.
“We are celebrating the freedom, and that came at a high price, and there’s history behind that. We need to remember we are all part of the human race, and our history is your history," Dixon said.
