Juneteenth celebration begins in Topeka

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Although the holiday isn't until June 19, people in Topeka began celebrating the Juneteenth holiday early. From noon until 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, the Hilcrest Community Center and Park was hosted the Topeka Family and Friends Juneteenth celebration. June 19, 1865 was the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in [...]

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Although the holiday isn't until June 19, people in Topeka began celebrating the Juneteenth holiday early.

From noon until 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, the Hilcrest Community Center and Park was hosted the Topeka Family and Friends Juneteenth celebration.

June 19, 1865 was the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas. This officially freed all the slaves in the United States and is why the holiday is celebrated on that day.

27 News spoke to people involved with the event who said it's important to pass along the history of the holiday.

"It's history. There's a lot of history with Juneteenth, said Norma Avery, President of the Topeka Family and Friends Juneteenth Celebration. "If we don't pass down our history, it's lost."

The celebration was full of good food and drinks. There was live music and dance performances as well.

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