New Castle NAACP hosts 3-day Juneteenth celebration

Staff report

NEW CASTLE, PA.

The New Castle Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will be celebrating Juneteenth, the nation’s oldest black-American holiday, with community activities June 10-12.

According to Juneteenth.com, it is the oldest-known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was June 19 that Union soldiers, led by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that the war had ended and that slaves were free.

This was 21/2 years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which ended slavery, had become official Jan. 1, 1863.

On June 10, the NAACP Unity Dinner and Dance will take place from 6 to 11 p.m. at Changes, 2003 W. State St. Music will be provided by DJ Danielle Burley. Tickets are $20 each and may be purchased by contacting Sidney McKnight at 724-657-0122.

On June 11, a community celebration at Riverwalk downtown will take place from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.

The event will include music by DJ Frank, gospel groups, a clown and food vendors. Nonprofits will be set up to provide educational materials.

Participants also can learn how to line or belly dance. A bounce-around for children will be available from 1 to 5 p.m., along with face painting, a basket auction, a 50/50 drawing and other giveaways.

A religious service will take place at 4:30 p.m. June 12 at St. Luke AME Zion Church, 603 Harbor St. Christopher Frye will be the speaker. A free-will offering will be taken, and light refreshments will be provided.