Garner Juneteenth Celebration Coming to GPAC June 21st
The Town of Garner and Garner Juneteenth Committee will present the annual Garner Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 21, at 11 a.m. at Garner Performing Arts Center (742 W. Garner Road).
This free event will feature local choirs, dance and narrative interwoven with documentary-style video segments that explore various aspects of Garner's history through the recollections of those who lived it. Congresswoman Deborah Ross and Mayor Buddy Gupton will make remarks as well.
History and Background
Galveston 1865
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.
This was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order.
However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.
In the early years
Little interest existed outside the African American community in participation in the celebrations. In some cases, there was outwardly exhibited resistance by barring the use of public property for the festivities.
Most of the festivities found themselves out in rural areas around rivers and creeks that could provide for additional activities such as fishing, horseback riding and barbecues. Often church grounds were the site for such activities.
Eventually, as African Americans became landowners, land was donated and dedicated for these festivities. One of the earliest documented land purchases in the name of Juneteenth was organized by Rev. Jack Yates.
