ROSWELL — The City of Roswell’s Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs in partnership with Roswell Roots presents Roswell Celebrates Juneteenth, a series of events and programs taking place Friday, June 17 through Sunday, June 19.
Juneteenth commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. Juneteenth was originally celebrated in Texas, on June 19, 1866. It marked the first anniversary of the day that African Americans there first learned of the Emancipation Proclamation, more than two years after it was initially issued. In 2021, Juneteenth was made a federal holiday in celebration and recognition of the end of slavery and to honor the culture and achievements of African Americans.
Events for Juneteenth
· Grammy nominated producer and Billboard #1 Artist Aaron Nigel Smith will perform at the Cultural Arts Center Friday, June 17 at 8 PM. Aaron promotes peace and builds community through his rootsy, funky, reggae music. This show is guaranteed to have you up and moving in the aisles.
· Aaron will perform again on Saturday, June 18 at 10 AM as part of the Songbirds in the Meadow concert series behind Arts Center West at Leita Thompson Park.
· The King and Queens Chapter of the American Bridge Association and Roswell Roots are sponsoring the sixth annual Bid Whist Card Party Saturday, June 18 at 11:30 AM at the Roswell Adult Recreation Center. The game of whist, a precursor to both bid whist and bridge, has been around at least since the 1700’s. During the Civil War, African Americans were introduced to the game and were said to have put the “bid” in bid whist. A boxed lunch is included with the $15 ticket purchase. You may register up to 30 minutes before game time. For additional information and to purchase tickets, please call 770-714-4266.
· Roswell Presbyterian Church will host and evening of history, performance, reflection and community gathering, Sunday, June 19, beginning at 5 PM. Actor John Doyle will portray a man reflecting on the lives and experiences of the enslaved people of Roswell and Marlon Burnley, Director of Out of Hand Theater, will present a dramatic monologue highlighting the Atlanta Race Riot and Massacre that led to four days of violence in Sept. 1906. Following the performances, a community pot luck dinner will begin at 6 PM. The pot luck dinner is free to all who bring a covered dish or dessert and a recipe to share. Please register for the potluck dinner by emailing Dena Bush at dbush@roswellgov.com. And beginning at 6:30 PM, traditional dances and drum music with Djoli Kelen Inc. will wrap up the celebration.
More information about Juneteenth and Roswell Roots can be found at www.roswellgov.com/Juneteenth.
