This event celebrates the 1865 historical Proclamation of Freedom from slavery in Texas.

For 30 plus years, several primarily African American community organizations have celebrated with thousands of people in Ventura County. We are honoring the annual tradition of freedom from enslavement that uplifts our community and brings cultural awareness. It is with open hearts that we welcome all for a celebration of Juneteenth every year.  We always try to excel each year with our sharing Black history and culture, our entertainment, the latest in Health and Wellness information and to shine a light on different local artists included in our Art Walk, to name a few highlights. We are inviting you to join us as a sponsor and/or participant in this wonderful fun filled family event.

Mission

To foster cross cultural understanding of Black heritage through community engagement using the annual Juneteenth celebration to reach the Ventura County region. As well as to bring awareness of Juneteenth Celebration/Freedom Day origins, educate the community about the importance of Black history and heritage, while creating a platform for arts, entertainment and leadership, with opportunities for health initiatives in the Ventura County area.

History of  Juneteenth

Juneteenth, a national holiday celebrated on June 19, is the name given to emancipation day by African-Americans in Texas. On that day in 1865 Union Major-General Gordon Granger read General Orders, No. 3 to the people of Galveston.

It stated:

The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.

Large celebrations on June 19 began in 1866 and continued regularly into the early 20th century. The African-Americans treated this day like the Fourth of July and the celebrations contained similar events. In the early days, the celebration included a prayer service, speakers with inspirational messages, reading of the emancipation proclamation, stories from former slaves, food, red soda water, games, rodeos and dances. The celebration of June 19 as emancipation day spread from Texas to the neighboring states of Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. It has also appeared in Alabama, Florida, and California as African-American Texans migrated.

In many parts of Texas, ex-slaves purchased land, or emancipation grounds, for the Juneteenth gathering. Examples include: Emancipation Park in Houston, purchased in 1872; what is now Booker T. Washington Park in Mexia and Emancipation Park in East Austin.

Celebration of Juneteenth declined during World War II but revived in 1950 at the Texas State Fair Grounds in Dallas. Interest and participation fell away during the late 1950's and 1960's as attention focused on expansion of freedom for African-Americans. In the 1970's Juneteenth revived in some communities. For example, in Austin the Juneteenth celebration returned in 1976 after a 25 year hiatus. House Bill no.1016 passed in the 66th Legislature, Regular Session, declared June 19, Emancipation Day in Texas, a legal state holiday effective January 1, 1980. Since that time, the celebration of Juneteenth continues across the state of Texas with parades, picnics and dancing.