Juneteenth 2023
Experience the power of community as we celebrate Juneteenth! Join us for a day filled with history, delicious food, performances, and a vibrant celebration of freedom. Don't miss out on this unforgettable event!
Discover the roots of this day with a historical reenactment. Indulge in delicious food. Experience the power of storytelling through a one-act play that embodies the spirit of Juneteenth. Enjoy this celebration of freedom through the talent show, which will feature performances that will inspire unity.
All activities happen at the 3rd floor parking entrance for the Studio Theater on South Street.
HIGHTLIGHTS OF THE DAY!
The doors for the Juneteenth Celebration will open at 10am on Sat, June 17th.
COMMUNITY CONNECTION: Spoken word by Leah Williams & re-enactment of the black experience by Joyce Jefferson. Followed by discussion led by Michelle Porter.
FOOD FOR THE SOUL: Lunch provided by A&D Jamaican restaurant.
TALENT SHOWCASE: 12:30pm- Featuring Donovan Washington, Dan Snethen, Kiyan Pittman, Bernie and Alena McFarling, Anverrea Bennett, Denali Green and more.
Emcees: Michelle Porter, Manasseh Dyse and Kherdine Weber
KIDS ZONE: Open 10am-12:30pm- There will be a variety of activities for children: a bouncy house, goat petting zoo, balloon animals and theatre games.
Discover the roots of this day with a historical reenactment. Indulge in delicious food. Experience the power of storytelling through a one-act play that embodies the spirit of Juneteenth. Enjoy this celebration of freedom through the talent show, which will feature performances that will inspire unity.
All activities happen at the 3rd floor parking entrance for the Studio Theater on South Street.
HIGHTLIGHTS OF THE DAY!
The doors for the Juneteenth Celebration will open at 10am on Sat, June 17th.
COMMUNITY CONNECTION: Spoken word by Leah Williams & re-enactment of the black experience by Joyce Jefferson. Followed by discussion led by Michelle Porter.
FOOD FOR THE SOUL: Lunch provided by A&D Jamaican restaurant.
TALENT SHOWCASE: 12:30pm- Featuring Donovan Washington, Dan Snethen, Kiyan Pittman, Bernie and Alena McFarling, Anverrea Bennett, Denali Green and more.
Emcees: Michelle Porter, Manasseh Dyse and Kherdine Weber
KIDS ZONE: Open 10am-12:30pm- There will be a variety of activities for children: a bouncy house, goat petting zoo, balloon animals and theatre games.
What is Juneteenth?
On June 19th, in 1865, in the aftermath of the Civil War, enslaved people were declared free under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation. Since January of 1863, Union soldiers, many of whom were Black, had been reading aloud the proclamation on plantations and in cities across the south as the Confederacy lost territory. It took until June 19th, 1865 for the enslaved people of Texas to be proclaimed free. The day was then celebrated as Juneteenth - our country's second independence day. It is an opportunity for our entire community to celebrate our shared freedom.
On June 19th, in 1865, in the aftermath of the Civil War, enslaved people were declared free under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation. Since January of 1863, Union soldiers, many of whom were Black, had been reading aloud the proclamation on plantations and in cities across the south as the Confederacy lost territory. It took until June 19th, 1865 for the enslaved people of Texas to be proclaimed free. The day was then celebrated as Juneteenth - our country's second independence day. It is an opportunity for our entire community to celebrate our shared freedom.
This program is funded by a grant from the South Dakota Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
