Juneteenth 2023

Many people may know about how the Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in the Confederate States on Jan. 1, 1863. However, in the Republic of Texas, slavery continued until Jubilee Day, also known as Juneteenth, when enslaved persons in Galveston finally learned they were free.

To commemorate this historically significant day, Dunbar Heritage Association will hold a two-day celebration Saturday and Sunday, June 17 and 18 at the Dunbar Recreation Center, 801 Martin Luther King Drive.

The celebration will kick off at 2 p.m. with games for kids, food, vendors, crafts and activities for both children and adults, and a silent auction. The event will also feature music by DJ TuReel.

“It’s just an all around great family-friendly, fun event,” said Jonafa Banbury, DHA secretary.

Harvey Miller, a wellknown and much beloved historian, community builder and activist, first founded the Dunbar Heritage Association in 1999. Under Miller’s leadership, the DHA carried on Juneteenth and MLK Day celebrations as part of its mission to preserve the historically Black Dunbar neighborhood through social practices, traditions, rituals, knowledge, spiritual beliefs, language and artistic expression.

“Mr. Miller’s leadership was 44 years,” Banbury said. “There was an unbroken chain of celebrations that he had his hand in.”

Post-COVID, the DHA resumed Juneteenth celebrations in 2021.

“We carry on that tradition that he left behind,” Banbury said. “It’s important to continue the tradition here in San Marcos, especially in this particular climate. It’s important to remember where we came from, and not just pretend that things are better.”

Though cities across the US have celebrated Juneteenth within their communities, Juneteenth did not officially become a federal holiday until 2021. To commemorate, the Dunbar Heritage Association will hold the DHA Juneteenth Freedom Run through the Dunbar community Monday, June 19 at 7 a.m. The run starts at the corner of MLK and Endicott and will end at the Dunbar Recreation Center. Registration is $40, and first, second and third place prizes will be awarded. For more details and to register for the event, contact Mittle Miller at mittiemiller@yahoo.com.

Vendors who are interested in participating in the celebration may register via Google forms at https:// forms.gle/Ec73aeaB5L7TUzgS6. Deadline for registration is June 11, though interested vendors can reach out to the Dunbar Heritage Association for an extension to Monday, June 12.

To donate items to the silent auction, please email dhasmtx@gmail.com or text to 737-999-0403.