MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Today is Juneteenth, celebrating the end of slavery in the U.S. It marks June 19th, 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas and proclaimed that more than 250-thousand enslaved Black people in Texas were free.
Helen Harris is with the Sumner Ramer Heritage Museum in Martinsburg.
Papa’s Chicken & Ribs Catering / Carryout Company’s Kenneth Sutton says events begin today:
Sumner Ramer will be marking the day on Sunday at the square in Martinsburg according to Helen Harris
Today, gates open at Papa’s Chicken & Ribs Catering/ Carryout Company at noon at 4727 Shepherdstown Road in Martinsburg.
Thursday’s events will feature an opening ceremony and a gospel fest from 12:30 to 2:30 in the afternoon.
June 20th at the same location will be prayer from 2:30 to 3:30 in the afternoon. Also on Friday are planned a Juneteenth spiritual history lesson and a showing of the movie Hidden Figures.
Saturday, June 21st at the same location will be an outdoor game completion from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., a back to school award ceremony and line dancing.
On Sunday in the square will be the Sumner/Ramer Heritage, Inc. Juneteenth celebration at the square in downtown from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. The event features entertainment, educationand history, food trucks, crafters and vendors.
For more information, contact Helen Harris at (304) 261-0196
