Juneteenth Festival set for June 16

STERLING – The annual Juneteenth Community Freedom Festival is planned in Sterling on June 16.

According to a news release from the YWCA of the Sauk Valley, which is organizing the festival, Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in America.

June 19, 1865, is the day when news of the emancipation reached slaves in Texas, 2 years after they had been freed.

The celebration in Sterling will be from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Propheter Park, 506 E. Sixth St. It will include live entertainment, children’s activities, a basketball tournament, a barbecue, and a community market featuring booths from local artists, gardeners, businesses and organizations.

Rebecca Muñoz-Ripley, one of the organizers, said Juneteenth is a great family and community event.

“There’s something for everyone,” she said. “Entertainment includes gospel to country to soul music. It’s a great opportunity for our community to come together, to learn history and to embrace it.”

She welcomes all community members to attend. In addition, Muñoz-Ripley said organizers were looking for volunteers for the event. There is a need for people familiar with basketball to referee the tournament.

People still can sign up for the basketball tournament or to have a booth, she said. More than 30 booths are lined up so far. Among the groups that will be at the event are the Sterling Police Department, CGH Medical Center, Sterling Kiwanis Club, local artists, and members of local farmers markets.

Festival admission is free. Food and items may be purchased at the market.

For more information, call the YWCA of the Sauk Valley at 815-625-0333. You also can search for it on Facebook.