Juneteenth and pre-Juneteenth events in Lincoln bring people together

 

[June 19, 2023] 

This year there were two Juneteenth celebrations in Lincoln. The first was dubbed as a pre-Juneteenth Park Party and held on Saturday June 17th in Scully Park. On Monday, the second event was held in Scully Park on the anniversary of the date the far western states in the confederacy were notified that the Civil War had ended and that all slaves were to be relieved from their servitude.

Saturday event was a light-hearted laid-back picnic in the park type event with activities for the youth, music, and an open invitation for guests to bring their grills and lawn chairs and just sit back in the cool of the shade and enjoy an afternoon of socializing.

The first party was organized by the Juneteenth Committee and the Second by the Hunt for Foundation (HFF). Both were endorsed by the City of Lincoln Diversity and Inclusion Committee, but neither were supported financially by the city.

The HFF has been hosting Juneteenth events in Lincoln for the last four years. As part of the event there were vendors with goods to sell, a tent where free books were offered, and Kona Ice was on hand selling cold, sweet, flavored ices.

The Lincoln Public Library was on hand and there was a craft table for youth to enjoy.

The Saturday event also featured vendors and information stations such as the Rainbow Girls booth. A craft table was set up and free hot dogs were advertised for as long as supplies lasted.

In all, the two events brought together a lot of people who were there to celebrate the deep meaning of the event and the date.

The Saturday event ended around 6 p.m. and the Monday event went a little longer, with the schedule of events saying the day would end at 8 p.m.

[Nila Smith]