June 16th, 2011
Juneteenth celebrations continue with Saturday parade

STAFF REPORT

San Marcos community organizations will celebrate Juneteenth from June 10 through June 19, 2011 with banquets, BBQ cook-off, parade, games and music to celebrate the 146th anniversary of the day that Texas slaves learned they were free in 1865.

The public is invited to take part in a week of activities:

• Thursday, June 16: Texas Black Heroes Discussion Series on Barbara Jordan and Scott Joplin, 7 p.m. San Marcos Public Library, 625 E. Hopkins, sponsored by the Dunbar Heritage Association.
• Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18: Juneteenth Charity BBQ, bean and cobbler cook-offs on the San Marcos River, 401 E. Hopkins sponsored by the Charity Cook-Off Committee, David Peterson, chair.
• Saturday, June 18: Juneteenth Parade, 10:30 a.m. from Dunbar Community Center, 801 Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive, to City Park. Route is MLK to LBJ Drive to Hutchison Street to San Marcos Plaza Park on the river.
  Saturday, June 18: Garland Warren Juneteenth Scholarship Cake Auction to support San Marcos High School graduates going to college, 3-5 p.m., Activity Center, 501 E. Hopkins. (contact Rose Brooks).

“We invite all San Marcos citizens to celebrate Juneteenth at the festivities” city council Member Chris Jones said.

Jones has created a web site here where participants can sign up for the various events.

“You can download registration forms for various events on the website,” Jones said. “This is a great opportunity to celebrate a holiday that finds its origin deeply rooted in Texas history.”

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.