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We provide local entertainers an opportunity to showcase their music.  We welcome all sorts of music entertainment in celebration of the African American Heritage.  If you would like to recommend yourself or a entertainer please contact us.

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WHAT is juneteenth?
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"Juneteenth is a day of reflection, a day of renewal, a pride-filled day.  It is a moment in time taken to appreciate the African American experience.  It is inclusive of all races, ethnicities and nationalities as nothing is more comforting than the hand of a friend."
- www.Juneteenth.com

Juneteenth originated as a celebration of the ending of slavery in Texas.  On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger and 1,800 troops of the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that the Civil War had ended and all slaves were free.  Even though President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation had gone into effect on January 1, 1863, freeing all slaves in those states in rebellion against the United States, for various reasons the decree had not yet taken effect in Texas.

The proclamation issued by General Granger - General Orders, Number3 - announced:

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 rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer ...

That evening, thousands of people in Galveston celebrated their freedom with dancing, singing, and feasting.  In the years that followed, other southern cities also began to organized Juneteenth festivities.  It was not until January 1, 1980, however, that Juneteenth was designated an official state holiday in Texas. Through the efforts of African American state legislator Al Edwards, Juneteenth became the first emancipation celebration granted official state recognition.

Today, Juneteenth is celebrated not only in Texas, but in cities throughout the United States.  Typical Juneteenth activities include picnics, parades, barbecues, ball games, and family reunions.  It is also a time for people to recount the events of the past.  Today Juneteenth has taken on a more national perspective, celebrating African American freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures.  

"Let us discard all this quibbling about this man and the other man, this race and that race and the other race being inferior, and therefore they must be placed in an inferior position.  Let us discard all these things, and unite as one people throughout this land, until we shall once more stand up declaring that all men are created equal."
- Abraham Lincoln, (July 10, 1858)


This year we have set up an easy online registration. This registration is to ensure we are able to provide necessary accommodations for everyone. Please select the below button "Registration".

2018 Juneteenth

​African American Heritage Celebration
St. Mary's County, Maryland

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Juneteenth Festival: noon - 8 pm

Family Event 
FREE ADMISSION!

John G Lancaster Park
21550 Willows Road
Lexington Park, MD 20653

Select a photo below to enlarge and view.

vendors, Advertisers & Sponsors

This is event is possible due to the continuous  support from our local businesses and organizations.  Please consider supporting this event by vending, taking out an ad in your booklet or making a in-kind donation. Please select the below button "Registration" to complete your request.

2018 Vendor registration is now closed.

Juneteenth Vendor Notice - Vendor Registration is CLOSED

For registered vendors - Please plan accordingly for the anticipated traffic.  You have a window of 10am -12pm to set-up.  All vehicles need to be out of the vending area by 11:30am.   The event is scheduled to begin promptly at 12pm.  We ask that you are completely set up by 12pm.   If you paid for a vendor space you will be provided (1) 6 foot uncovered table and (2) chairs.  Non-Profits - If you reserved a space that did not include a table, please remember to bring your own table and chairs.   As you enter the Park you will be greeted and escorted/directed to the vendor area.  

Please remember to bring your own tent or umbrella you will need it for shade and also in case of rain.
 
We look forward to seeing you this Saturday, June 16, 2018 at:
John G Lancaster Park
21550 Willows Road
Lexington Park, MD 20653

Questions contact:
Mike Brown  301-862-4868 or info@ucaconline.org

Thank you for your support!
2018 Juneteenth Planning Committee

family event

We are excited about our 15th Annual Juneteenth African American Heritage Celebration event this year.  Each year we expand and grow and this year we are very excited about our new sponsors, vendors, entertainment and attendees from the community.  We do our absolute best to provide enough seating and covered areas, but we do encourage you to bring your own lawn chair.

To assist us with planning for a great event, we ask that you complete the easy online FREE registration.

2018 Juneteenth Photos

Click here to view more

  • Jazz Best HD by DJ Zone Track 6 Audio Track3:36
  • Jazz Best HD by DJ Zone Track 14:00
  • Jazz Best HD by DJ Zone Track 4 Audio Track4:32