Carnegie Free Library to host annual Juneteenth celebration today

The event is from 1 to 5 p.m. at the McKeesport library.

The Carnegie Library of McKeesport will host its fifth annual Juneteenth celebration from 1 to 5 p.m. today.

Juneteenth is a national holiday, and it is celebrated by many communities and cities.

Federal and state offices are closed and employees will have a paid day off Thursday for the official holiday that was designated in 2021.

Its roots go back to the Civil War, which was fought between the North and the South in the United States over slavery. The North wanted the South to give up slavery. The South wanted to hold onto their slaves because they kept the cotton industry growing.

The North felt slavery was wrong and the Civil War began in 1861. After the war was won, President Abraham Lincoln ordered the Emancipation Proclamation, which abolished slavery in the Southern states on Jan. 1,1863.

Later, the 13th Amendment, declared that slaves in the United States were free from slavery. Yet, a startling situation happened, slaves in Texas up until 1865 had not been told that slavery had ended. They were free but had kept working as slaves. Former slaves through the South began to look for family members lost to slavery.

Juneteenth, June 19, is celebrated with parades, prayers, singing, dancing and cookouts. The Juneteenth flag bears the Texas star.

“Juneteenth is Freedom Day, designated for all slaves,” said Mary Rose Bendel, director of the Carnegie Free Library children’s division.

The celebration will feature guest speaker Fawn Montgomery Walker, of Take Action Advocacy Group, and local poet Yazmin Brown , who will read a new poem titled, “1865.” The book “The Undefeated” by Kwame Alexander will also be read to the audience.

Kia’s Little Dancers from First Presbyterian Church will perform. Local youth traced their bodies onto paper, which will be used as eight tablecloths. They will write “what freedom means to them” inside of the drawing.

Chef Vincent Wright will serve hoagies, fruit and pasta salad. Free Italian ices will be given to everyone. Community outreach groups such as the Children’s Homeless Education Fund and Allegheny CleanWays will have tables set up with information for attendees.

Vendor Energy L will have Bottle Dolls, clothing and accessories on display. Local artist Colette Funches will have an art piece on display.

“Other activities will include music, crafts, painting little canvasses for children, food and fun. Prizes also will be given out. Everything is free. We want a lot of members from the community to be here,” Bendel said.

The library is located at 1507 Library Ave., McKeesport, For more information, call the library at 412-672-0625.