The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Juneteenth celebrations focus on history, fun

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C’Rayiah Gardner, 7, takes a fun ride down the slide on an inflatable obstacle course during the Juneteenth Community Celebration on June 17, at the Lewis Abraham Boys & Girls Club, 38724 Mudcat Grant Blvd., in Dade City. The celebration included the family fun zone, local vendors and food trucks, free health screenings, prizes, games and raffles. It also featured special performances from local organizations and groups as part of a weeklong commemoration of events throughout East Pasco County. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

Pasco County’s east side honored Juneteenth for the third consecutive year — again with a weeklong celebration.

The City of Dade City adopted a resolution guaranteeing there also will be a Juneteenth Community Celebration Day on June 19, or the Saturday preceding it.

That proclamation was presented by Dade City Mayor Jim Shive, along with Dade City commissioners Lisa Simon and Normita Woodard.

Dade City Mayor Pro Tem Normita Woodard, left, watches a special Juneteenth performance with fellow Dade City Commissioner Jim Shive. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

The city’s third annual celebration was held on June 17 at the Lewis Abraham Boys & Girls Club, 38724 Mudcat Grant Blvd., in Dade City. The event included a family fun zone, local vendors and food trucks, free health screenings, prizes, games and raffles. There also were special performances from local organizations and groups.

Juneteenth activities also featured a Juneteenth Pageant for boys and girls. The festivities were organized by the Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department.

“It’s great that we can hold events all week long,” said Kimberly Miller, a recreation coordinator for the parks and recreation department who began the Juneteenth Celebration tradition three years ago. “Of course, as a Black woman, it’s important to me, but I also honestly think that people here in East Pasco are not used to this kind of celebration and events. But the turnout from the community each year keeps getting better.

“So, the goal has always been to get more people from the community involved and part of the Juneteenth celebration.”

Kimberly Sanders, of Dade City, poses in front of the Juneteenth sign during the Community Celebration on June 17 at the Lewis Abraham Boys & Girls Club. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

The event at the Boys & Girls Club was just the start of the celebrations.

There also were events in Dade City, Lacoochee, Trilby, Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills throughout the week. Some of those events included Beat N’ Brushes: a musical painting gathering, Family Bowling Night at Pin Chasers in Zephyrhills, Community Unity 3×3 Basketball Tournament at the Wesley Chapel Recreation Center, and the Madden video game tournament, also at the Wesley Chapel Rec Center.

There also was a Sneaker Ball (daddy/daughter dance), but it was rescheduled to Sept. 15, also to be held at the Wesley Chapel Recreation Center.

Juneteenth

Details: Juneteenth is the federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Its name was derived from combining June and nineteenth and it is celebrated on the anniversary of the order by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865 (2 ½ years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued). Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.

Published on June 28, 2023.

Dajuan Staton plays with his son Makahi outside the Lewis Abraham Boys & Girls Club in Dade City during the Juneteenth Community Celebration on June 17, as part of weeklong Juneteenth events throughout East Pasco County. (MIKE CAMUNAS)
Six-year-old Jonairys Morales happily learns to perform CPR to the tune of ‘Baby Shark’ with the help of an AdventHealth representative during the Juneteenth Community Celebration on June 17 at the Lewis Abraham Boys & Girls Club in Dade City. (MIKE CAMUNAS)
Lacoochee residents Amanda Stewart, right, and Jamarien Allen, left, play bucket ball in the Family Fun Zone at the Juneteenth Community Celebration on June 17. (MIKE CAMUNAS)
Kimberly Miller, senior recreation coordinator for the Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department, shares some thoughts during the Third Annual Juneteenth Community Celebration. It was the kickoff event of a week of celebrations in East Pasco, honoring the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. (MIKE CAMUNAS)
Dade City resident Domenic Dixon, left, watches as his wife, Tamara Dixon, makes a throw playing ladder ball in the Family Fun Zone at the Juneteenth Community Celebration on June 17. (MIKE CAMUNAS)
Micah Berrin, left, and Angela Redmond-Theodore perform a ‘libations’ ceremony, which is a way to honor enslaved ancestors and connect with their spirits, as well as pay tribute to those who fought for Black Rights. (MIKE CAMUNAS)