Members of the dance group the Bomb Squad practice before they perform at the Juneteenth Festival in Las Vegas in 2005. View File Photo
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The Las Vegas Juneteenth Festival will be expanded to a two-day affair for the first time this year, running from 4 to 9 p.m. on June 15-16 at the Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza in Lorenzi Park, 3075 W. Washington Ave.
The introduction of a well-known headliner made last year's event such a huge success that this year the organizers are going for two days and two headliners for the local observance of the national holiday celebrating the end of slavery.
Howard Hewitt, R&B singer and former lead singer of Shalamar, will cap Friday's festivities, to be followed on Saturday night by soul singer Freddie Jackson. Jackson just released his 10th studio album, "Transitions."
Comedy will complement music, as comedian George Wallace makes a special introduction for comedian and Juneteenth festival master of ceremonies LJ Brown on Friday. Brown will appear both days.
In addition, local youth and adult dance groups, jazz bands and singers will perform almost non-stop for the two days.
The festival, now in its seventh year, will kick-off with a traditional drum call with the West Las Vegas Library Drum Core and performances of African dance. A rendition of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," a black national anthem, will complete the trio.
Traditional food from local favorites such as H & H Barbecue and Mr. J's Catfish will be on hand, and the Anthony L. Pollard Foundation plans to sell watermelons.
The Juneteenth Festival is free to the public, but all funds raised go to the Pollard Foundation, which creates educational programs for at-risk youth.
The festival offers a $500 scholarship to two high school students, based on an essay contest.
The foundation also will honor Barbara Jackson, director of the Leisure Services Department for the city of Las Vegas.
"She is being honored because she has believed in our vision with the Juneteenth Festival and other similar organizations," said Diane Hughes, president of the Pollard Foundation and the Juneteenth Committee.
Hughes pointed out that people working in a job like Jackson's often don't get the public recognition they deserve.
Speakers are a traditional part of Juneteenth. Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly is expected to speak, along with U.S. Rep. Shelly Berkley, D-Nev, and State Sen. Steven Horsford, D-North Las Vegas.
This is a family-oriented event, so there will be carnival games for the kids, but no alcohol for the adults
There also will be local art and craft vendors and a collection of health information booths, including screening for high blood pressure, diabetes and HIV.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also will be there with information for prospective first-time home buyers.
The national celebration of Juneteenth began in 1865 when Union soldiers, lead by Maj. Gen. George Granger, landed in Galveston, Texas, and made a proclamation that the Civil War had ended and the slaves were free.
Celebrating this day was a longtime tradition, especially in the South. It was often celebrated with fishing outings and barbecues on local church grounds.
Some early ordinances forbid the celebration of Juneteenth on public property, leading supporters to purchase land just for Juneteenth celebrations. Emancipation Park in Houston began as one such piece of property.
The holiday fell into some obscurity in the 20th century, as many blacks migrated North and became separated from the roots of the tradition.
It's revival came in force during the civil rights movement. The popularity of Juneteenth has continued to grow since that time.
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