By T. Scott Boatright
Remembering and learning from the past while forging toward a better future for all was the permeating theme for the weekend as Juneteenth observances continued for Lincoln Parish with events in Grambling and Ruston.
Juneteenth commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth (short for “June 19th”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed.
Grambling’s week and a half festivities with the city’s second annual Juneteenth Gala held in the foyer of GSU’s Frederick C. Hobdy Assembly Center while Saturday, the biggest day of Grambling’s Juneteenth celebration, started with a Heritage Health Walk followed by the annual Juneteenth Parade and other events on Main Street that included a Young Entrepreneur Fair, vendors selling foods and wares, the annual Kidzone and Car Show as well as the return of a stage for musical and other performances, something that returned for the first time since the COVID pandemic.
“I think it turned out to be a great day and our Juneteenth events have all been great and done well this year,” said Grambling Mayor Alvin Bradley. “We still have more in store before it’s over, but I’m happy with the way things have gone so far.
“We’ve had good turnouts at things like the financial seminar, cooking contest and the discussion about Main Street along with all of the other events, and we just hope it all keeps going strong until we wrap things up with closing ceremonies and a fish fry on Saturday.”
Grambling Juneteenth and Committee Chair Cathy Holmes Giles said she is pleased with the way Grambling’s observance has grown since getting past the COVID pandemic.
“It grew last year, and we had even more this year and it’s all gone great,” Giles said. “We just want to see it keep getting bigger and better. It was hot out there today for the parade, but we still had a pretty good crowd on hand. Hopefully that trend will continue leading up to Wednesday’s final events.”
Grambling’s Juneteenth observances will continue with a citywide Exercise Event slated for 7 p.m. today at Grambling City Park.
There will be a Mimosas and Marigolds event at the Grambling City Garden Tuesday starting at 6 p.m.
Then on Juneteenth itself (Wednesday) a fishing tournament will be held all day at Grambling City Park followed by a Fish Fry at 5:30 p.m.
Anglers older than 17 will be required to have a Louisiana Fishing License for that event.
As Ruston began its Juneteenth observances on Friday night. Regina Rogers won a three-person talent contest to earn $1,000 and an appearance opening for the Mississippi Mass Choir during a Gospel concert held Saturday evening at Railroad Park.
“This was a fabulous concert,” said Santoria Black, Coordinator for Ruston’s Juneteenth observances. “There were so many people who remembered these songs and didn’t sit down the whole time.
“I thought the Juneteenth Choir was incredible, Cornelius Jackson was powerful delivering
‘Lift Every Voice and Sing,’ and then to get an incredible performance from Regina Rogers was great.”
Amy Stegall, Main Street Director and Community Coordinator for the City of Ruston, said that she feels the growth of Ruston’s Juneteenth observance is important while adding that she feels future growth is still needed.
“It was a good turnout,” Stegall said. “The Mississippi Mass Choir was incredible. So, it’s been good to see the growth.
“But I would still like to see the (demographics involving race) get even better, because that’s important. I’d like to see even more diversity because this is an event for all of Ruston regardless of race. It’s about coming together and being one for the future of Ruston and the growth of the city and everyone who lives here. So hopefully this will keep growing and be even better next year, because again, that’s important.”
