Celebrate History this Weekend in Southern Maryland! Events for June 17-19, 2016

Kimberly Bean
Kimberly Bean
Published on June 13, 2016

Get involved in the community this weekend! Here are three events for June 17-19, 2016.

Juneteenth Heritage Celebration Set for Saturday

Image via UCAC.

Image via UCAC.

Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions (UCAC), in partnership with our sponsors, proudly presents its 13th Annual Juneteenth Celebration. The event will take place Saturday, June 18, at John G. Lancaster Park in Lexington Park. The fun begins at 8 a.m.

The day kicks off with a 5K run/walk, followed by a parade at 9:30 a.m. on Great Mills Road. Opening ceremonies begin a noon. There will also be African dancers, face painting, food, gospel singing, pony rides, vendors, and a jazz concert.

The UCAC gives this history of Juneteenth:

“Juneteenth originated as a celebration of the ending of slavery in Texas. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger and 1,800 troops of the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that the Civil War had ended and all slaves were free. Even though President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had gone into effect on January 1, 1863, freeing all slaves in those states in rebellion against the United States, for various reasons the decree had not yet taken effect in Texas.

Today, Juneteenth is celebrated not only in Texas but in cities throughout the United States. Typical Juneteenth activities include picnics, parades, barbecues, ball games, and family reunions. It is also a time for people to recount the events of the past. Today Juneteenth has taken on a more national perspective, celebrating African American freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures.”

John G. Lancaster Park is located at 21550 Willows Road in Lexington Park. The event is free and fun for the whole family!

For more information, visit http://www.ucaconline.org/juneteenth.html.

21st Annual African American Family Community Day is Saturday

Image via Calvert County NAACP.

Image via Calvert County NAACP.

The Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum will host the 21st Annual African American Family Community Day on Saturday, June 18, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and sponsored by the Calvert County Branch of the NAACP and other community organizations.

Come and enjoy a day of Southern soul music, Southern gospel, and jazz featuring the Hardaway Connection, the Bowie Community Jazz Ensemble, Comedian Sean Sarvis, and other area artists and church groups. Participate in children’s activities including art, storytelling, and face painting. View displays and exhibits from community businesses and organizations. Qualify for door prizes and enjoy scrumptious food.

There will be special a recognition and memorial for Ruth Nutter Reid, an educator, business owner, stalwart member of the NAACP, and a career volunteer. The Concerned Black Women of Calvert County and the National Congress of Black Women, Calvert County Chapter, will also be recognized.

The museum is located at 10515 Mackall Road in St. Leonard. For more information, visit http://calvertnaacp.org/.

Dragon Boat Festival Raises Funds to Fight Hunger

Image via End Hunger in Calvert County.

Image via End Hunger in Calvert County.

Come be part of the annual End Hunger Dragon Boat Festival and spend the day in the charming town of North Beach. You will enjoy a family friendly atmosphere, local vendors, and more! Best of all, you will be part of our community coming together to support End Hunger In Calvert County.

Join us Friday, June 17, at 8 p.m. at the North Beach Farmer’s Market for the Dotting of the Eye and Lighting of the Lanterns. This ceremony is an ancient tradition that awakens the dragons and officially kicks off the Dragon Boat Festival. Then Saturday morning, June 18 – we RACE to end hunger! The first race starts at 9 a.m.!

All teams race at least twice, and the top six teams move into the finals. The award ceremony is held at about 5 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information, visit http://www.endhungercalvert.org/events/dragon-boat/.

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