Plant City’s Juneteenth festivities last weekend were a resounding success, said organizer Maurice Wilson.
The festivities, which spanned four days, were a celebration of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans when, on June 19, 1865, two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to inform its residents that slavery had been abolished. Throughout the weekend, there were cultural performances, a parade, guest worship speakers and a luncheon honoring African American history, culture and achievements.
The event kicked off Friday with a worship service at Mt. Olive Baptist Church featuring a sermon by Reverend Jason Montgomery. The following day, a freedom parade travelled the streets of Plant City, ending at Ronald L. Snowden Park, where guests enjoyed an afternoon of vendors, live music, games and a car show. The day was capped off with the rousing sounds of a gospel concert at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, featuring national recording artist Evangelist Lorraine “Punch” Baldwin and other performers.
Wilson said organizers, facing the threat of a cancelled parade because of rain, said a prayer Saturday morning before the festivities began. “We didn’t want it to rain on our parade,” he joked. “After the parade started, it stopped raining and it turned out to be a beautiful day.”
During Sunday’s luncheon, following morning services at New Grace C.M.E. Church, Plant City High School Class of 2023 graduate Jayla Salter got a surprise when she was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. “I was shocked, it just came out of the blue,” she said.
Salter plans to start Erwin Technical College’s culinary program in August and the money will help her reach her goal of becoming a chef and owning her own restaurant or food truck. “The scholarship is going to help me pay for books and supplies,” she said.
Overall, the Juneteenth activities served as a reminder of the progress made and the work that still lies ahead in the pursuit of freedom and equality for all. “It was a beautiful success,” said Wilson. “We hope this event continues to grow bigger and better every year and look forward to next year.”