To commemorate the end of slavery in the United States, members of the Divine Nine and Friends in Hopkinsville are inviting the community to their third annual Juneteenth Celebration and inaugural lecture.
Juneteenth National Independence Day is a federal holiday on June 19 commemorating African Americans’ fight for freedom and the end of slavery in the country as well as recognizing the steps that still need to be made to achieve equality and justice.
Bonnie Lynch and Jewel Lynch from Divine Nine and Friends and the Hopkinsville Juneteenth Planning Committee shared that their celebration is set for June 21, but on June 14 they are inviting folks to a lecture featuring author John F. Baker Jr. of Springfield, Tennessee.
Baker wrote the book, “Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation: Stories of My Family’s Journey to Freedom.” In the book, Baker spotlights his ancestors who were slaves in Tennessee and how they gained freedom. Bonnie Lynch says the plantation Baker wrote about is still standing.
The lecture is set for 3 p.m. on June 14 at the Pioneer’s Memorial Complex at 904 North Main Street.
Then on the next weekend, the Hopkinsville-Christian County Boys and Girls Club will be taken over by the Juneteenth Celebration. Jewel Lynch says the celebration will include food trucks, craft vendors, activities for children, live music by Black Cat Cadillac and a fashion show.
Food vendor spots cost $75 and craft vendor spots cost $50. Those interested in being a vendor or sponsor can email wandabonnie22@gmail.com and the deadline is May 31. Jewel Lynch says the revenue they generate from selling spots will go toward their Juneteenth Scholarship Fund which supports local high school students pursuing higher education.
Jewel Lynch says they are excited to spotlight the history of Juneteenth ahead of the 8th of August which is an emancipation holiday recognized in the region.
The celebration will be held from noon to 6 p.m. on June 21 at the Boys and Girls Club. More information is available at Hopkinsville Juneteenth Celebration on Facebook.
