Music is a vital piece of African American culture and history, and has been used to maintain oral traditions and to communicate. To honor that history and the end of slavery in the U.S., Visit Hopkinsville and the Hopkinsville Juneteenth Committee are partnering to host Jazzing for Juneteenth on June 20.
Juneteenth is a federal holiday and commemorates the end of slavery. On June 19, 1865 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas and announced that the over 250,000 slaves in the state were freed by an executive order known as the Emancipation Proclamation.
Jazzing for Juneteenth will include food trucks, a vendor market, live music and activities for the kiddos such as bounce houses. The festival is typically hosted at the local Boys and Girls Club, but this year it will be at the Hopkinsville-Christian County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Visit Hopkinsville Executive Director Amy Rogers says she brought the idea to the Juneteenth Committee and they were on board.
Juneteenth Committee Member Bonnie Lynch says the event will include local flavors such as G’s Bar-B-Que, Big Papa’s and DJ’s Lemonade. There will also be multiple informational and merchandise vendors along with live music by DJ Trez and singer Tina Brown.
Lynch says a historian will also be at the event spotlighting the significance of Juneteenth.
Rogers says celebrating holidays such as Juneteenth is imperative, because it’s a chance to recognize the contributions of the African Americans who played an integral role in laying this nation’s foundation.
Jazzing for Juneteenth takes over the visitor’s bureau at 1730 East 9th Street from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Those interested in being a vendor have until May 30 to apply and can call 270-881-2574.