First ever Juneteenth celebration to be held at Gant Homestead

Contributed by the Nelson T. Gant Foundation
·2 min read

The first ever Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom, sponsored by the Nelson T. Gant Foundation, will be held from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, at the Gant Homestead, 1845 W. Main St.

Juneteenth marks the day — June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation took effect — when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that enslaved people were now free and the war was over. The next year, African Americans began marking the anniversary with large gatherings in Texas, and Juneteenth grew to become a national celebration of freedom and the end of slavery.

A cultural experience for the whole family, the local celebration will be a time of community fellowship, food, and fun, featuring live performances, music, educational activities, health awareness information, and opportunities to support local Black vendors.

The celebration will feature the musical talents of Carlos King, DJ Eastside Soprano, Charles Mayle, Lista Walker, the Calvary Baptist Church Choir and more. From sitcom trivia and freedom songs to artwork in progress by Tyler Wood, join your neighbors to spin the wheel for prizes.

In recognition of the often overlooked physical and mental health issues endured by African American men, representatives from Allwell Behavioral Health, Muskingum Behavior Health and the Lelia Payton Counseling Center will be on hand.

Get ready for Dougie Small’s fish fry, sloppy Joe’s or chicken. Tapa’s Caribbean will be providing deserts and non-alcoholic beverages will be available.

Many local vendors and service agencies will be available. Nue Bella Nails Spa and Sunglasses, Ray of Hope Medical Transportation, Lind Arena and Burrell Funeral Services, Cass Minds, Zanesville Civic League – Community Center, the NAACP, the MBRN, the Social Justice Coalition and the Zanesville Think Tank on Poverty will have representatives and information available.

The Nelson T. Gant Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization established in 2001 for the purpose of restoring the Gant house and to revive the legacy of Nelson T. Gant for the building of character and community/cultural pride. Its purpose is to develop the Nelson T. Gant house into an historical, educational, cultural and charitable facility.

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Juneteenth celebration to be held at Gant Homestead