This article is in need of a Photo.To add an image to this page, click "Edit" and then click the "Files" button.

The Yuba-Sutter Juneteenth Celebration had been held annually since 1999, but it appears not to be held anymore (or at least it hasn't been listed on the Beale Air Force Base news page). It was sponsored by the Black Awareness Association at Beale Air Force Base and took place at Yuba Park in Marysville on the Saturday closest to June 19th.

The Juneteenth Celebration commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas on June 19, 1865 - more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was supposed to have taken effect. The newly released slaves in Texas held a feast of watermelon and red soda to celebrate their freedom from chains. Ever since then, Juneteenth has traditionally been celebrated with a large pot-luck feast served as an all-day meal, usually including barbecue, baked bread, fresh fruit and vegetables, red soda, home-made ice cream, cakes, and pies. Other traditions include a public reading of the Emancipation Proclamation and of African-American authors' poetry and prose, as well as the singing of traditional slave songs such as "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

The Yuba-Sutter African-American Community celebrates Juneteenth with awareness activities, cultural events, games, and food.

Links

Juneteenth entry on Wikipedia Juneteenth.com Beale Air Force Base news page