Crowd -- and awareness -- grows at Ohio History Connection's Juneteenth Jubilee festival
When Valerie Boyer donned the attire of "Lady Liberty" for the Ohio History Connection's Juneteenth Jubilee Day Festival on Sunday, she could virtually feel the presence of the African American men and women who were finally freed from the chains of slavery on June 19, 1865.
"When you stand or sit in the place where they stood, you feel this presence, spirit and energy," said Boyer, a social studies teacher at Columbus City Schools' Linden McKinley STEM Academy, as well as a poet, dancer and musician. "I try to embody what they could have felt and experienced in that moment."
The Juneteenth Jubilee Day Festival kicked off with a parade through Ohio Village on the grounds of the Ohio History Connection. The fledgling federal holiday — President Biden signed it into law in 2021 — commemorates the emancipation of the last enslaved Black people in Texas on the anniversary of the order by Maj. General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865.
In addition to being an educator and interpreter of historical characters, Boyer is a native of Galveston, Texas, the birthplace of Juneteenth. As such, she said she has participated in Juneteenth celebrations her whole life.
"I love that (awareness of Juneteenth) is growing," Boyer said, adding that it was heartening to see people from all walks of life attending the Ohio History Connection's festival to learn the historical significance of it. "None of us is free until all of us are free."
Boyer was one of many historical interpreters roaming the grounds between performances at the event. Others portrayed Paul Laurence Dunbar, Sojourner Truth, Edmonia Lewis, and Ida B. Wells.
Juneteenth closings: What's open and what's closed for the Juneteenth holiday? Here's a quick rundown
The Juneteenth Jubilee Festival was expected to draw at least 1,000 people, compared to the "several hundred" who attended last year's inaugural event, according to Megan Wood, executive director and CEO of the Ohio History Connection.
Wood said the celebration was held in partnership with Juneteenth on the Ave., held on Saturday along Mount Vernon Avenue in Columbus' historic Bronzeville neighborhood. "The pairing makes for a great weekend," she said.
Juneteenth Jubilee Day was the brainchild of Lyn Logan-Grimes, manager of school and inclusive community programs. She emphasized the importance of balancing the fun aspect of the event with an informative component to offer attendees what she termed "edutainment."
Learning about Juneteenth should not be limited to a specific group of people, Logan-Grimes noted. "It's important that we're educating everybody about what it is."
A particularly popular attraction at the festival was the Griots in the Garden Storytellers, consisting of Emily E. Bailey, better known as "Miz Bee," Sipho Makapela, and Michael Bonner.
While telling an African folktale about Anansi, a selfish spider, the gregarious, animated Miz Bee kept children and adults alike riveted by involving them in the story. As Anansi went door-to-door collecting all his neighbors' knowledge, Miz Bee moved through the audience pretending to gather "knowledge" in a basket formed by her outstretched arms.
Why Juneteenth is important: We must remember, work against America’s original sin' this long weekend
The session culminated in Miz Bee beckoning the crowd to repeat loudly, "I am somebody!"
A pre-kindergarten teacher at Columbus City's Como Elementary School on the Northeast Side, Bailey said she considers it her "mission to share" through stories, some of which she reads and adapts from other sources, and others she writes herself.
Several festivalgoers took advantage of a croquet game set up in the shade to escape the midday sun. Watching her 5-year-old son, Josiah, whack away at the balls with a mallet, Columbus resident Lauren Pressley said she enjoyed the opportunity local Juneteenth celebrations afforded to "learn about history, fellowship with other people, and have a good time."
"It's all about learning," she said. "And teaching kids about history ― where we come from."
More Juneteenth celebrations are planned for Monday and later this week, including:
Inaugural Juneteenth Parade: Beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, the Linden community will celebrate cultural unity with marching bands, community organizations and a parade starting at East Hudson Street and traveling south on Cleveland Avenue to 11th Avenue at the at the Four Corners-Point of Pride. Free.
Juneteenth: A Celebration for the Soul: The event at the Kelton House Museum and Garden, 586 E. Town St., will open at 4 p.m. Monday, with the keynote address by singer, poet and entertainer Gabrielle Solange beginning at 6 p.m. The event also will feature the music of Jae Esquire and storytelling by public historian Sarah Richardt. Food and drinks will be available. Admission is free, but online registration is recommended.
New Albany Juneteenth Celebration: Attendees can enjoy dance/drumming, music, spoken word, food trucks (outside food also is permitted), kids' activities, and more, free of charge from 4-8 p.m. Monday at the Hinson Amphitheater, 170 E. Dublin-Granville Road in New Albany. A schedule of events can be found online.
Bexley Juneteenth Celebration: Guests will gather at Jeffrey Mansion Shelter House, 165 N. Parkview Ave., from 6-8 p.m. Monday for a keynote speaker, poetry and author spotlights, a performance by the East High School Drumline, music by DJ RISIO and more. Hamburgers, hot dogs and vegetarian options will be provided; guests are encouraged to bring shareable side dishes. The event is free. Reserve a spot online through Eventbrite.
Freedomworks: A Juneteenth Fireworks Presentation: Bring your family and friends to close out Juneteenth with a bang at 9 p.m. Monday at Columbus State Community College, 550 E. Spring St. Fireworks can be viewed from or near the college at this free event.
Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom: Offering live entertainment, poetry readings, story time, games, kids' activities, and more, the festivities will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday in Alum Creek Park North, 221 W. Main St., Westerville. Vendors and food trucks also will be at the event, hosted by WeRISE for Greater Westerville, a community organization that works to end racism and promote racial equity and social justice. Get a free eTicket at Eventbrite.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 'Educating everybody' at Ohio History Connection's Juneteenth Jubilee
