Juneteenth is being celebrated today.
But for the City of Manteca, the federal June 19 holiday that commemorates the ending of slavery in U.S. came a day early.
The reason for that, according to local organizer Gwendolyn Grace, is the booking for the Manteca Senior Center.
She and others at Wednesday’s special event will be attending the monthly Music on Maple recognizing Juneteenth, tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. in the 100 block of Maple Avenue in downtown.
The theme is “Unity in Sound.” Music.”
Featured in the Manteca Recreation & Community Services event will be live music, food trucks, a dance workshop, and vendors, to name a few.
At the annual Juneteenth Celebration at the Senior Center, Grace provided an overview of the holiday that’s a portmanteau of the words “June” and “nineteenth,” which is the day in 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the Civil War.
Dr. Lynell Womack opened up the Wednesday event with prayer, followed by “Lift Every Voice & Sing” performance and Dr. Gates welcoming those in attendance.
An overview of both the holiday and Juneteenth flag was also part of the program.
The celebration, in addition, feature line dancing, a word-find contest, prize giveaways, and music trivia, given that June is also Black Music Month.
In addition, this Juneteenth event in Manteca had a variety of vendors while offering food to those in attendance.
Lathrop Juneteenth
Juneteenth in the City of Lathrop is scheduled today from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lathrop Generations Center, 450 Spartan Wy.
The free event in partnership with the City of Lathrop Parks and Recreation Department and sponsored by Health Plan of San Joaquin and River Islands at Lathrop will feature vendors, food trucks, live music, games, and the spoken word.
For more information, call 209.941.7372 or log on to www.ci.lathrop.ca.us.