Local groups are hosting a series of events throughout the week in celebration of Juneteenth.
Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the U.S.: On June 19th, 1865, the Union Army proclaimed the slaves of Texas free, more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Today, groups including the Wichita branch of the NAACP, Wichita State University and Sunflower Community Action are partnering to host several events commemorating Juneteenth. This year’s theme is “unity.”
Events will include:
- A production of the play "Breaking News," by local playwrights and writers (Wednesday, June 21, at 6 p.m., CAC Theatre at WSU)
- An evening of family fun at Fairmount park (Thursday, June 22, at 6 p.m.)
- A drive collecting items for the One Spark Foundation, the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center, and ICTRBG (Thursday, June 22, at 7 a.m., various locations)
- Movie night and conversation about the Underground Railroad (Friday, June 23, at 8:30 p.m., WSU Duerksen Amphitheatre)
- Parade and day in McAdams Park (Saturday, June 24, at 11:30 a.m.)
