The Twin Cities host the annual Juneteenth celebration

BRISTOL, Va. – The Bristol community gathered at Cumberland Park on Saturday for the Twin City’s fifth annual Juneteenth celebration.

Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, is a holiday that marks the moment when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, to herald the end of slavery, 2.5 years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. .

Melanie Beyah, a board member of the Bristol Juneteenth Celebration Committee, which organized Saturday’s event, pointed out how much Juneteenth has grown as a celebration in recent years, not just nationally, since it was recognized as a holiday federal, but also in Bristol.

“It seems to grow every year. This year, we have a reggae band. We have some local entertainment. We have face painting, free haircuts, we have free food,” Beyah said. “Everybody gets involved and becomes a part of it.”

Local pastor Jackie Nophlin, director of the BJCC, pointed out that as Juneteenth continues to grow in the public consciousness, it has evolved from a symbolic day of remembrance to a larger and more foreboding celebration of African American culture and freedom.

“The United States was built on different cultures and in this day and age, with all the animosity that goes on and the hatred and racism and things of that nature that go on in our communities,” Nophlin said. “It’s time for a group of people to come together like we’re doing today and celebrate our history.”

Terrence Fields, owner of Big Boy BBQ & Grill, served free meals to Juneteenth attendees and emphasized the spirit of inclusivity and unity that the Juneteenth celebration promotes.

“Realizing and understanding that, you know, we’re all brothers and sisters is the most important thing,” Fields said.