DULUTH, MN (CBS-3) – Juneteenth is now officially recognized as a federal holiday and celebrations around the Northland are expected to be bigger than ever this year.
The official date of the holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the U-S, is June 19th and the name ‘Juneteenth’ comes from a combination of those two words.
In the Twin Ports, the events get underway a few days earlier with several non-profit organizations, including the NAACP, helping to organize the celebrations .
On June 16th at Duluth City Hall, there will be a Mayoral proclamation to commemorate the day.
On Friday, June 17th, organizers will hold a special luncheon to honor elder members of the African heritage community and their contributions.
On Saturday June 18th, there will be a celebration at Barker’s Island in Superior organized by ‘Twin Ports Juneteenth.’
Then on Sunday, June 19th, the NAACP will hold their ‘Juneteenth Jubilee’ in Central Hillside.
According to organizer Henry Banks, the events are not just for people of African heritage, but for everyone to come together and learn.
Banks says many events will have free food, music, and entertainment.
There will also be vendors, showcasing some black-owned businesses in the Twin Ports.
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