Saturday, June 17th from 6-10pm at Carver Park

YUMA, Ariz. (KECY, KYMA) – The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) chapter in Yuma has been in operation for 91 years and will host a commemorative Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. We plan to hold it again. at carver park.

June 1, now recognized as a federal holiday, commemorates the day the slaves of the West were heard set free.

Freedom was won in America long after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863.

“Then General Granger rode into Galveston, declared martial law, and emancipated the slaves. That was 1865,” said NAACP treasurer Michelle Smith.

To mark that moment, the Yuma NAACP has a lot planned for this Saturday.

Includes live music, face painting, and first responder demonstrations.

“Don’t spend the night sitting at home watching TV. Come with your kids. We’re giving away bikes so if your kids come, they might be a winner,” says Delsa Danette-Dixon. said.

Prizes and more are all possible thanks to sponsors and the support of the City of Yuma for the event.

Admission is free and the park will be closed on Monday, June 19th due to a national holiday.

“Like I said, the city is all cooperating. Cora brings us a lot of stuff. Candy Camarena is our main sponsor. Q for the draw. We just have a lot going on,” said Yuma NAACP Chairman Beverly Cade.

Much will be done to properly commemorate this historic day.

“We celebrate freedom, but it comes at a high price, and there is history behind it. Remember we are all part of humanity and our history is your history.” No,” Dixon said.