43
Weekend celebration combines McGuffey Day and Juneteenth
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
YOUNGSTOWN
For the first time in two decades, the McGuffey Centre is having a carnival.
McGuffey Day was an annual event, said Jennifer Miller, executive director. Now, for the 70th anniversary of the community center, the tradition is back.
A Juneteenth celebration will be combined with the Saturday event. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is an American holiday celebrated June 19 that commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States. The observance got its start in Texas and now is recognized as a holiday in 36 states, including Ohio.
“Since [the carnival] is the weekend of Juneteenth, we decided we’d just combine them together,” Miller said. “Because most Juneteenths are outdoor festivals with some African-American history events and culture events, so it just worked out.”
The event will begin at noon and continue until dusk.
Many carnival-type activities are included. There will be a clown, face painting and balloons. Games for children and bingo will be offered. Vendors will sell a variety of foods including pizza, calzones, gyros and french fries. There also will be barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs and a pig roast.
Other activities include:
Harambee Youth Group performance at 1 p.m.
Sons of Joy, Symphony, For Grace and The Golden Wonders, all gospel quartets, between 1 and 5 p.m.
Tru, a rapper, about 5:30 p.m.
Valley historian Steffon Jones also will stage Civil War reenactments throughout the day. He will portray both union and confederate black soldiers, Miller said.
“Steffon Jones will fit really good in there since his is a history of the Civil War, and Harambee does ethnic African dancing and drumming,” Miller said. “So, fun and historical.”
The event will take place again next year, Miller said.
The McGuffey Centre, located at 1649 Jacobs Road, is a community center that offers activities for the whole family. Programming includes after-school activities, summer day camps, computer classes, teen recreation and senior activities such as adult day services.