Five years ago on June 19, Highland Falls native Tyrone King ‘brought back’ a tradition that another resident had started in the village several decades ago. That person was the late Laura Lanier, and the event was Juneteenth.
Juneteenth is celebrated annually, commemorating June 19, 1865, when Union general Gordon Granger read federal orders in Galveston, Texas, that all previously enslaved people in Texas were free. While not a national holiday, celebrations are growing in popularity.
The events here for the past four years have varied, but always included a Main St. march and the raising of a Juneteenth flag in Memorial Park. There is usually a speaker, often music, and clergy on hand to offer a prayer. One year the day included considerable live music at Roe Park after the more formal ceremony.
This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, King had changed the celebration to a virtual one, and is inviting all members of the community to join him on a Zoom celebration on Friday evening (June 19) from 6-8 p.m. There will be a guest speaker from Houston, Texas, a former West Point band musician from Atlanta, some poetry, some prayer, and even a short history of Juneteenth.
He hopes to be able to have a very small gathering at Memorial Park that morning to raise the flag.
To join the celebration, use the meeting ID: 886 5888 1933 and the password: 914840.
In another Juneteenth event, The Center (274 Main St., Highland Falls) will be open from 1-3 p.m. on Friday, June 19 for a drop-in ‘Learn about Juneteenth’ event.
