Announcing Elmira's Juneteenth Celebration

The public is invited to Elmira's Eighth Annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 12 - 13. The Juneteenth Celebration begins on Friday, June 12 at 7 pm with a kickoff at Community Arts of Elmira, 413 Lake Street and continues June 13, 10 am - 5 pm at Ernie Davis Park, the corner of East Fifth and Lake Streets in Elmira. Both days of the Juneteenth Celebration are free and open to the public.

Juneteenth commemorates the day on June 19, 1865 when slaves in Galveston, Texas celebrated the news of the Emancipation Proclamation. The Juneteenth Celebration is a commemoration of that struggle, and a step towards a bright future. Juneteenth is the oldest known African American celebration in the United States initiated to foster an appreciation for freedom, knowledge and culture in the African American community. The celebration is a nationally recognized event in many communities across the country.

Yes We Can!, this year's theme, encompasses self-improvement, family and economic unity and above all it resonates the same feelings and emotions as President Obama's election campaign.

Friday, June 12 from 7 - 9 pm the public is invited to Community Arts of Elmira for the Juneteenth Celebration kickoff featuring: Gene Austin, visual art display; Vicie Rolling, poet, will present an interpretation and portrayal of Elizabeth Adams, known as Lear Green who lived the last three years of her life in freedom here in Elmira; Ira Haywood, Jr., jazz musician; Vani Akula, classical Indian dance; Kofi Donkor of Kofi and Sankofa Drum and Dance Ensemble; and Spirituals! Choir with Phyllis Bishop and Cal Brewer.

Saturday, June 13 from 10 am - 5 pm all are welcome to Ernie Davis Park for a day of celebration featuring: Kids on the Block, performances which teach children about disability, medical conditions and social issues; Mayor Tonello; local artists, musicians, dancers and actors; Vani Akula, artist; Faith Temple Choir; New Life Assembly of God Dance Team; bicycle give-away by Eat Well, Play Hard; local and regional service providers; and food, fun and games for all.

Elmira's Eighth Annual Juneteenth Celebration is sponsored by: Economic Opportunity Program, Inc.; Juneteenth Steering Committee; The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes; the Elmira City School District; Corning Inc. AQUIT; and Chemung Canal Trust Company.The project is made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts' Decentralization Program administered locally by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.