Special to ViewSkip Martin, former lead singer of the Dazz Band and Kool and the Gang, performs during the Las Vegas Juneteenth Festival at the Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza in Lorenzi Park, June 19.
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It's no secret that history can be our greatest teacher, but for community activist Diane Pollard, history serves both as a reminder of the past and as a tool used for forging a more united future.
Pollard is the founder of the Las Vegas Juneteenth Festival, an event that celebrates the June 19, 1865, freeing of Texas slaves.
The ninth annual local Juneteenth Festival was held at the Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza inside Lorenzi Park, 3333 W. Washington Ave., in mid-June.
The free festival, which took place June 19 and 20, featured live music, poetry readings, soul food vendors, bounce houses and guest speakers.
According to Pollard, June 19 is the day that Union Army Gen. Gordon Granger informed slaves in Galveston, Texas, that the Civil War was over and they were free.
"That was more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed, and they hadn't heard," she said. "That news sparked a great celebration among African-Americans, which continues to this day in many places."
Pollard said she grew up in Oklahoma, where Juneteenth festivals are held annually, and upon coming to Nevada couldn't understand why Las Vegas didn't have one.
"In my family, every year we celebrated the Fourth of July and Juneteenth," she said. "Both were very important. We made a big deal out of both."
According to Pollard, who founded the Las Vegas festival in 2000, the festival is primarily an African-American celebration, but she hopes it will continue to evolve into an event that draws the broader community together.
Pollard said this year's theme was "the journey," which represents her ultimate vision for the celebration.
"I want this to become a community event for everyone in Las Vegas," she said. "It isn't just for people of one race or creed. This is a cultural opportunity for all of us to come together and celebrate our uniqueness and similarities."
Entertainers such as Strip comedian George Wallace and cast members from "Stomp Out Loud," among others, performed at the event.
Grammy-winning vocalist Skip Martin of the Dazz Band and Kool & the Gang headlined the event, noting that he had attended the festival for a number of years but never before performed.
Martin said that as an African-American and a resident of Las Vegas for more than 20 years, he was proud to participate in Juneteenth.
"I think this atmosphere is perfect for our show," he said. "In these community-oriented situations, what better way to show your support than by doing your thing?"
Martin said he would be happy to participate in future Juneteenth celebrations.
"Seeing the smiling faces of children in the crowd, that's just really the best," he said.
Festival attendee Glen Monroe said that he had attended similar events in Texas and Louisiana, but that he found the Las Vegas Juneteenth Celebration to be among the best.
"Last year was my first one (festival) here," he said. "But I'd say that it is right on par with the ones down South. Great music, food. Good time all around."
According to Pollard, more than 3,000 people attended the event, including state Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas; County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly and U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev.
"I'm really looking forward to 2010," Pollard said. "It's going to be even bigger and better."
Contact North Las Vegas and Downtown View reporter Amanda Llewellyn at allewellyn@viewnews.com or 380-4535.
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