The Antelope Valley Times

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Countdown to Sun Village Juneteenth celebration!

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The Sun Village Juneteenth celebration kicks off Friday at 5 p.m. with a Ms. Juneteenth pageant. (L to R) Kiara Butler, Elizabeth Enga,Loraina Calderon, Junior Miss Juneteenth Dominique Becerril, Dacia Drake, Renae Mc Clain, Anaya Culver. Photo Credit: ANGELA CLAYTON

SUN VILLAGE – Thousands will converge on Jackie Robinson Park this weekend for the 17th Annual Sun Village Juneteenth celebration.

Juneteenth is an unofficial holiday observed nationwide by millions of African Americans, primarily in the southern states, to commemorate the freeing of the slaves on United States soil. Juneteenth celebrates June 19, 1865, when word that President Abraham Lincoln had freed the slaves reached Galveston, Texas, one of the last footholds of slavery in the United States.

“In some places, people have no idea what Juneteenth is all about,” said event chair Moses Primus. “But in this particular area, we have a lot people with roots in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, so consequently, the celebration takes on an added meaning out here.”

Juneteenth is one of the most popular celebrations for African Americans in the Antelope Valley, Primus said.

The event will feature numerous live performances. (Photo taken at past event.)

This year’s celebration takes place from Friday, June 15 to Sunday, June 17. The three-day event will feature a pageant, a children’s carnival, a petting zoo, water games, a car show, a basketball tournament, numerous exhibits and all-day entertainment to include hip hop, gospel, R & B and jazz.

There will be live musical performances by numerous local artists, including Plushlyfe, Mini Mommas, Jamaal Brown, Guerilla Beast, AVC Dancers, Culture Motives and many others.

Primus said the event will also feature a generous helping of soul food.

“Our vendors will be providing various kinds of ethnic foods on all three days,” he said. “We also have vendors selling jewelry, clothing, music and other different items.”

The Juneteenth celebration kicks off around 5 p.m. Friday, June 15 with the Ms. Juneteenth Pageant. Festivities will continue until 10 p.m.

On Saturday, festivities begin at 10 a.m. The official opening ceremony will start at 2 p.m., and will feature this year’s Grand Marshal, Bishop Henry Hearns, posting of the colors by Buffalo Soldiers, with the national anthem sung by Sereen Smith. Concerts will continue throughout the day, featuring different performances every half hour, until around 10 p.m.

Thousands will turnout for the festivities this weekend, organizers said.

Sunday’s Juneteenth events are dubbed “A Father’s Day of Praise.” The event begins at 8:30 a.m. with Sunday Service in the park by Bishop Henry Hearns. There will be a second Sunday service at 10 a.m. with Pastor Hughes. Entertainment will continue throughout the day until around 8 p.m.

View a complete line-up of the weekend’s events here.

The 17th Annual Sun Village Juneteenth celebration is presented by the Friends of Jackie Robinson Park and LA County Parks and Recreation.

All festivities take place at the Jackie Robinson Park, located at 8773 East Avenue R (at 90th Street East) in Sun Village. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

Proceeds generated from the event will fund scholarships for one graduating high school senior and one Antelope Valley College student looking to transfer to a four-year university.

For more information, call 661-944-2880.

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9 comments for "Countdown to Sun Village Juneteenth celebration!"

  2. Congratulations to all the lovely contestant of tonight’s Juneteenth pageant. You are all winners just for taking the stage.
    Kudos to you Waunette for your tireless efforts in growing a generation of confident, poised and beautiful young women and grooming them into tomorrow’s leaders. You are to be commended again and again!! Let the celebrations begin!!!

    • I posted this comment yesterday morning but it’s just showing up now. There must be a delay at this site. The pagaent was last night. Good job girls. Congratulations Elizabeth and Loraina!!

  3. And since you weren’t born with the name “Pretty Polyanna”, can we also assume that you are hiding here, too? You hiding something? Ashamed of something?

  4. So maybe you learned something. It seems you figured out that soul food is eaten by people of all races. No one but you said soul food was eaten by black people only.
    Also, it’s not called black food, it’s called soul food. Since when is the word “soul” synonymous with black?
    Again, if you are just grossly naive, then consider this a lesson. If you trying to be funny, you’re not succeeding. It’s borderline insulting.
    Seeing as though the event is presenting by LA COUNTY Parks and Rec, then I’m sure everything will be checked out by the County Health Dept, as with any other event (i.e. Poppy Festival, AV Fair, etc).
    Again, a borderline offensive statement on your part.
    And by the way, your “guess” about my racial makeup is dead wrong.

  5. Soul Food is great, especially the Peach Cobbler. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. If you’re trying to be funny, you’re not succeeding. Making racial comments is also unnecessary and unwarranted.

    I’m going this weekend and I plan on having a great time. Feel free to stay home and marinate in your racial bubble. I’m sure your only experience with Sun Village is through Frank Zappa in Village of the Sun (great song by the way!)

    • Every ‘soul food’ item I’ve ever eaten has been great- ribs, mac and cheese, greens, even the okra and I never liked okra before. I don’t know how they do it. Never a bad meal at any soul food restaurant. They say they add ‘love’ and I believe it.