Juneteenth Celebration in Nyack’s Memorial Park

On Saturday, June 15, 2013, a Juneteenth Independence Celebration will be held in Memorial Park sponsored by The Tappan Zee Lodge #79 Free and Accepted Masons (Prince Hall), the African American Historical Society of Rockland County, the Pan-Hellenic Council, the Ministerial Alliance, Women in the NAACP (WIN) Committee of the Nyack Branch of the NAACP, and the Historical Society of the Nyacks.

Juneteenth is a national observance commemorating the announcement by Union General Gorgon Granger of freedom for all slaves, which took place on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas. The announcement was made more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the historic Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. In 1997, the 105th Congress of the United States passed Senate Joint Resolution 11 and House Joint Resolution 56 officially recognizing Juneteenth Independence Day in America.

This year’s celebration will feature a 1. 6 mile Fun Run, named in honor of Laurence H. Holland (pictured here), former president of the Nyack Branch of the Laurence_Holland_Receiving_NAACP_Award_JN 2NAACP; The Fun Run and a self-guided walking tour of historic places in the African American experience in Nyack was organized by local authorand scholar Dr. Lori Martin. QR codes will be included so that participants with smart phones can access additional digital information about each of the 26 sites. Docents will be waiting at some locations.

A celebratory program in Memorial Park from 12 – 4:30 will include a tribute to long-time Nyack Public School educator, Ms. D. Anne Nash, food, activities and live music for people of all ages!

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