Latest news with #JuneteenthFestival
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
City of Stafford Honoring the Legacy of Freedom Through Third Annual Juneteenth Celebration
STAFFORD, Texas, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Stafford invites the public to attend its third annual Juneteenth Festival on Sunday, June 15, from 1–6 p.m. CT, inside the Stafford Centre Ballroom (10505 Cash Road). This free community event taking place on Father's Day promises a vibrant celebration of family, freedom and unity, featuring a combination of Stafford-based and Black-owned businesses, educational opportunities, food, bounce house, and live entertainment, with Houston's own Klockwork Band headlining the musical performances. Juneteenth, now a federal holiday, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. The festival in Stafford not only marks this historic moment, but also uplifts local culture and acknowledges the contributions of Black residents to the city's rich history. This will be showcased in the presentations by Buffalo Soldiers from the Living History Foundation, Texas Black Cowboys and Intuitive African Dance & Drum Culture. "Our Juneteenth festival has become a meaningful tradition in Stafford," said Mayor Ken Mathew. "It's more than a celebration, it's a reflection of our commitment to unity, equality, and honoring the contributions of Black Americans to our city and our nation. We're proud to welcome everyone to join us in this powerful moment of remembrance and festivity." The 2025 festival will feature a special tribute to Stafford native and Houston Texans safety, Jalen Pitre, honoring his outstanding achievements both on and off the field. Pitre, a 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Nominee, will be recognized for the impact his nonprofit, the Pitre Boyz Foundation, has had empowering the youth of Stafford. The Foundation inspires resilience, promotes wellness, and cultivates leadership, helping young people reach their full potential. Councilman Will K. Bostic, a lifelong Stafford resident and key organizer of the event, reflected on the significance of the celebration's location: "To stand on the grounds of a former sugar plantation and host a festival that celebrates Black freedom and excellence is profoundly powerful. Our Juneteenth Festival honors the past, empowers the present, and inspires the future." The City is expecting its largest turnout yet, with more than 1,000 attendees anticipated. This free family-friendly event is open to all ages. Guests are encouraged to RSVP to help organizers prepare, as complimentary food will be provided for attendees. For more information and to RSVP, visit MEDIA CONTACT: Lauren Precker, 395953@ (757) 876-7227 About the City of StaffordNationally recognized for visionary leadership, sound fiscal management, and innovative achievements, the City of Stafford is a dynamic and welcoming home rule city in Texas. Known as an "Island of Business Opportunity," Stafford offers a unique blend of economic vitality and family-friendly living. Founded by William J. Stafford, one of Stephen F. Austin's "Old 300" settlers, the city has grown into a richly diverse community, home to residents of varied cultural backgrounds and faiths. Stafford continues to thrive as a model of inclusion, opportunity, and progress. View original content: SOURCE City of Stafford
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New details emerging about Pittsburgh's Juneteenth celebration
11 Investigates has learned that the City of Pittsburgh is scaling back its Juneteenth celebration. It was just last year that the city pulled funding from a long-time promoter's popular festival and hired a marketing firm with ties to Mayor Ed Gainey to produce the first city-run event. The city still plans to hold a celebration this year, but the Department of Parks and Recreation is putting it together. And the one-day celebration will be the week before B. Marshall's popular Juneteenth Festival, which he's held for more than a decade. Marshall's celebration is the largest in the region. 11 Investigates has learned the city plans to hold a Juneteenth CommUnity Concert event at Allegheny Commons East Park on the North Side on June 14th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature musical performances, activities for children, vendors and a cookout. The city, this year, is declining to hire an event coordinator like they did for the first time last year. Instead, the city will rely on the Department of Parks and Recreation to organize the event. In a controversial move last year, Mayor Ed Gainey pulled city funds from long-time promoter B. Marshall. Mayor Gainey defended his decision at the time. 'We felt that at the end of the day we need to be more transparent,' said Mayor Gainey. Marshall fired back and said he felt betrayed by the city's first African American mayor. 'It's like a betrayal. It's like your brother doing something to sabotage you,' Marshall said. Instead, the city put it out for bid and awarded the $125,000 contract to Bounce Marketing, which had done work for the mayor before. At a news conference last year, the mayor introduced the owner of Bounce Marketing. She outlined her plans for the festival. 'We plan to bring the best in talent, art, fashion, food, music and dance right to the heart of downtown Pittsburgh,' Fantasy Zellars said. After public outcry, Pittsburgh city council reinstated Marshall's $125,000 in funding because it had already been promised to him. Marshall's three-day festival at Point State Park, Gateway Center and Market Square last year drew more than 70,000 visitors. Two weeks later, the city held its first-ever celebration known as FusionFest on Smithfield Street Downtown at the Greenwood Plan building. While the city is doing its own scaled-back celebration this year, Marshall is also gearing up for his festival from June 19th to the 22nd. 'This will be our 12th year of doing this event. This year will be inside of Mellon Spray Park,' Marshall said. Because of renovations at Point State Park, Marshall will be holding his festival at Mellon Park in East Liberty. And while the city isn't contributing any money this year, Marshall is getting support from other big names. 'We got the (Pittsburgh) Penguins that are going to be a part of our parade. We're so happy about that. We got Dollar Bank here. Dollar Bank helps us generate over $6 million in economic impact with our Juneteenth celebration,' Marshall said during a recent news conference at Mellon Park promoting his celebration. The Pittsburgh Penguins have partnered with B. Marshall for the past four years. Marshall told 11 Investigates he's still waiting for a final permit from the city. He's confident it will happen soon, and he says he's looking forward to the celebration. Marshall has a number of food and gift vendors, events and activities for youths and musical entertainers planned for the festival. The renowned funk and R and B band, Morris Day and The Time, will be the featured entertainer. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Chicago Tribune
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Letters to the Editor: Elgin not at fault for cancellation of this year's Juneteenth event
Elgin not at fault for cancellation of this year's Juneteenth event I am writing to express my disappointment with the article published in The Courier-News on March 11 titled, ' Organizers cancel Elgin's Juneteenth event after date it wanted was given to Michelada Festival.' The headline, along with key omissions in the article, malign the city of Elgin's reputation by creating an unfair implication that the city is being uncooperative and is at fault for the Juneteenth event's cancellation. The article omitted crucial information the city conveyed to the reporter stating that for the past three years, the African American Coalition of Kane County had held its Juneteenth Festival in Festival Park on the weekend of or before June 19. This year, AACKC requested the weekend after Juneteenth. AACKC's request to change the weekend of its event now conflicts with the weekend on which the Michelada Festival was conducted last year and has been requested again for this summer by that event's organizers. The city offered AACKC alternatives, including the use of Festival Park on the weekend before Juneteenth or the Wing Park Band Shell area on their preferred weekend. AACKC declined these options. The article states that a peaceful protest is planned in response to the event's 'forced cancellation.' There was no forced cancellation — AACKC made the decision not to proceed with the alternatives offered by the city. The city told AACKC that going forward, it will refrain from scheduling special events at Festival Park or other alternative venues on the weekends immediately before or after June 19 until AACKC selects its preferred weekend for future Juneteenth celebrations. As a cosponsor of the Juneteenth Festival, the city remains committed to working with AACKC to ensure a successful 2026 event. I am hoping that future coverage of such matters reflects a more balanced perspective. Thank you for allowing me to clarify these details. Submit letters to the editor via email to suburbanletters@ Please include your name, address and town of residence for publication. We also need your phone number and email address for confirmation. Letters should be no more than 250 to 300 words.
Chicago Tribune
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Organizers cancel Elgin's Juneteenth event after date it wanted was given to Michelada Festival
This year's Juneteenth Festival in Elgin's Festival Park has been canceled because the date organizers wanted for the event was given to a different group, the African American Coalition of Kane County said. 'This difficult decision was made collectively by the AACKC Board of Directors, and we stand firm in our commitment to protecting and honoring our community's traditions,' a March 6 letter sent to sponsors and vendors said. Instead, the group will mark Juneteenth by asking the community to join them in a peaceful protest of the event's forced cancellation at the Elgin Municipal Center. Coalition President Shirley Bassett said the problem arose when she was told the paperwork she submitted in January to secure Festival Park for June 21-22 was incorrect and she had to refile it. By the time she returned to form, the organizers of the Michelada Festival had already gotten permission to use the park on June 22, she said. The city of Elgin received a request from the Michelada Festival organizers 'to once again book the third Sunday in June for its event,' city spokesman Jeff Knox said in a statement. This year, the fest — which drew 8,000 people in its first year — had booked internationally known performers, he said. Event promoters told city officials that if Festival Park was not available, 'they (would) be required to move the event to another municipality' because the performers are only available on June 22, he said. 'Cultural Arts and Special Events Director Amanda Harris has been working with (the African American Coalition) to resolve the scheduling conflict this year,' Knox said. Harris offered the group the weekend of June 13-14 but it didn't work for organizers, he said. Elgin also officials suggested using Wing Park's bandshell on June 20-21 for Juneteenth and offered to coordinate a Concert in the Park and a Movie in the Park for the holiday, Knox said. 'AACKC declined all those alternatives,' he said. Bassett said, 'Juneteenth is a day of freedom. Why are we being told where we can celebrate and when we can celebrate? Why are we being shackled again?' Coalition officials tried appealing the city's decision, 'advocating for the preservation of a tradition that celebrates the resilience, freedom and history of African Americans,' their letter said. 'Yet, despite our formal requests, the city has refused to reinstate our rightful date, leaving us no choice but to take a stand. We refused to be cast aside.' The coalition holds Juneteenth with a co-sponsorship from the city's Cultural Arts and Special Events department. The event, which commemorates the end of slavery in 1862, has been a tradition in the city for 18 years. It became a national holiday in 2021. Juneteenth had 70 vendors last year and drew about 2,000 people, Bassett said. While it's a smaller crowd than the Michelada Festival, the two are very different events, she said. 'Juneteenth is not a music or concert event. It's an educational, cultural event,' she said. Bassett said she personally believes the city has 'never put much emphasis in what the black community is doing,' she said. Juneteenth, which had been listed on the city's list of events a few months ago, is now removed from the calendar. Bassett said she hopes Juneteenth will return next year. Knox said going forward, the city will not schedule special events on the weekend before or after June 19 in Festival Park until African American Coalition identifies which weekend it prefers. Harris is working with the Michelada Festival promoters to shift their event to the last weekend in June, he said.
