Brookshire, Washington County announce Juneteenth celebrations

Contributed Reports
Posted 6/15/22

Brookshire will celebrate Juneteenth with its annual Juneteenth Festival Saturday.

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Brookshire, Washington County announce Juneteenth celebrations

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Brookshire will celebrate Juneteenth with its annual Juneteenth Festival Saturday.

The festival is from 12-8 p.m. Saturday at Hovas Park, 1400 Hovas Lane, in Brookshire. Admission is free.

The festival features prizes, a Zydeco contest, basketball and volleyball tournaments, a mini-carnival, waterpark, children’s activities and a fireworks show.

Food will also be available, with fried ribs and fried chicken wings. Presale plates are $10.

Meanwhile, in Washington County, the Washington County Historical Juneteenth Association has resumed Juneteenth observance with a series of family-friendly celebrations.

The association, a 501(c)3 organization, was founded in November 1982 with the vision of preserving African American history. It has worked to revitalize the Juneteenth celebration in the county.

Upcoming events are as follows:

  • Juneteenth Jubilee Kick-Off featuring the Brown Sugar Band: 6 p.m. Friday at Fireman’s Park.
  • Juneteenth Opening Ceremony and Annual Parade: 9:30 a.m. Saturday in Downtown Brenham.
  • Juneteenth Annual Jubilee: Following the parade in Fireman’s Park.

Betty Wilson, association president, said the 2022 parade theme, “A Celebration of Diversity,” is fitting for our times.

“Brenham is a unique place, and our history is extremely rich,” Wilson said. “We feel this year’s commemoration of Juneteenth is needed to lift spirits and fellowship after two years of isolation and separation. As we move forward, this event is an opportunity for everyone to learn and embrace cultures in ways that will allow the community-at-large share a sense of belonging towards society.”

Throughout the year, the association examines the state of the community to ensure that current and future residents are adequately educated on the dynamic African American history of Brenham and Washington County. The association works to preserve local and add to what will become future history.

The 2022 parade grand marshal is the Rev. Randy Wells, executive director of Faith Mission and Help Center, Inc. Faith Mission is an ecumenical, Christian based non-profit organization created to be a central clearinghouse for assistance to the homeless and working poor in Washington County.

For more information, contact the association at wchja.brenham@gmail.com.

Juneteenth honors the day in 1865 in which U.S. Army General Gordon Granger announced the abolition of slavery in Texas. The proclamation, today marked with a historical marker in Galveston, came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

Juneteenth became a Texas state holiday in 1980 and a federal holiday in 2021.

Juneteenth, Brookshire, Brenham, Washington County