Yolo County will be holding an Early Juneteenth Holiday Celebration on June 5, allowing community members to celebrate the end of slavery in the U.S.
The free family event will take place at the UC Davis Conference center — located at 550 Alumni Ln. — and the Manetti Shrem Museum of Art — located at 254 Old Davis Rd. — from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to a press release from the county. Live entertainment, educational presentations, art displays, activities for youth, giveaways, artisan vendors, food trucks and sponsor tables will all be available at the celebration.
The Juneteenth theme for 2022 is “Sankofa: The Road to Freedom Day” and will honor Black artists and artisans, performers, elders, and musicians. Juneteenth is an annual holiday in the U.S., having been celebrated by African Americans since the late 1800s. However, nationwide protests of police brutality have sparked a renewed interest in the holiday, the press release said.
There will be a variety of performances, including music, drumming, spoken word, and dance performances, including M’Ster Lewis, a JTL Production fashion show, the Grant High School Drumline and renowned artist TheArthur Wright. Additionally, Quilter Khristel Johnson will display her history quilts at the Manetti Shrem Museum of Art.
The celebration will also include guest speakers Lucas Frerichs, Vice Mayor of Davis; Renetta Garrison Tull, UC Davis Vice Chancellor of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; and Vickie Gomez, UC Davis Director Campus and Regional Community Engagement.
“This year we are very excited to offer a community youth art project for the celebration,” said Youth Services Librarian Katrina Laws-Ewald.
Children and teens 18 and under of any cultural background are invited to create an art piece exploring the Black/African diaspora.
Davis Media Access will be recording the celebration, which will be posted on YouTube on June 19, the actual day of the holiday. Free parking is available on Sundays in the garage and surrounding lot next to the Manetti Shrem Museum of Art.
For more information, visit yolojuneteenth.org.
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