TUCSON CELEBRATES 42ND ANNUAL JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL

“Honoring Our Past and Enlightening Our Future”

On Saturday, June 16, the Tucson community will once again celebrate the day when African-American slaves living in Texas received word that they had been freed. The date was June 19, 1865, two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

This year’s celebration will be held from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Donna Liggins Parks and Recreation Center (formerly known as Northwest Center), located at 2160 N. 6th Avenue (just south of Grant).

Among the many indoor and outdoor activities, there will be a KidZone (sponsored by the Quincie Douglas Branch library) that will include a puppet petting zoo, a musical puppet play about Juneteenth, books with a heritage focus, brain puzzles, and arts and crafts fun.

The importance of living a healthy lifestyle will also be highlighted through presentations and free, healthy snacks.

The Juneteenth Celebration is free and the entire community is invited to come join the fun. There will be free hot dogs offered between noon and 1 p.m.

For further information contact

Esther Sharif @ 520-390-0155 or

esharifaith@gmail.com or juneteenth2012committee@cox.net.