Two events set to celebrate Juneteenth

CLOVIS — Southern slaves were the last to hear of their own freedom in 1865 and now Clovis celebrates that late-notice arrival as Juneteenth.

Juneteenth is a celebration of the emancipation proclamation, the document signed by Abraham Lincoln that ended slavery.

Clovis is hosting two events: a community fair and barbecue on Saturday, and a series of presenters on June 25.

Among health and business booths, the community is invited to eat free food and listen to music Saturday at Potter Park. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event is kid friendly, said organizer William Hall.

“When the slaves found out they were free, everybody got together, made food and celebrated,” Hall said. “And that is exactly what we intend to do.”

On June 25, Legacy Life Family Church is hosting presenters, music and poetry readings. That program is slated to last from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The event will have an exhibit from the Buffalo Soldiers Society of America and a presentation from Yvette Gardner-Pickett about Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson — the subjects of the movie “Hidden Figures.”

The program will include exhibits from local and statewide health care officials and the reading of poems such as “A Nation in Pain” by Alice Wise-Corbin, a former Clovis educator, said organizer Selmus Price.

Price said in its seventh year, the program is just about keeping awareness of African American culture for the younger generations and all other ethnicities.

“Passing this sort of information to the younger generation is the main emphasis of any culture,” said Price.

“And the more ethnicities are aware of other ethnicities the better we understand each other.”