Hays County Commissioners Court Proclaims ‘Juneteenth Month’ And Invites Public To Reflect, Celebrate

Although President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, it wasn’t until more than two years later when Major General Gordon Granger and his Union soldiers landed at Galveston…

Hays County Courthouse, San Marcos, TX – On Tuesday the Hays County Commissioners Court proclaimed June to be Juneteenth Month and thanked organizers of several events that will bring awareness to the day in 1865 when the news of emancipation was brought to Texas.

According to the proclamation, the institution of Black slavery in American began in 1616 with the landing of the first African slaves on our shores.

And although President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, it wasn’t until more than two years later when Major General Gordon Granger and his Union soldiers landed at Galveston and announced that all Texas slaves were free.

In 1979 Governor William P. Clements signed a bill that made June 19 an official state holiday, known as Juneteenth.

Several community partners have come together to help the public celebrate Juneteenth 2018. Kicking off the events is a cake auction on June 14 at 6 p.m. at the San Marcos Activity Center, with proceeds funding scholarships for deserving youth.

On June 15 and 16 families can enjoy a BBQ Cook-off and Music Festival, with games and activities for children, at San Marcos City Park. Also on June 16, there will be a ceremony at 8 a.m. at Dunbar Park, 801 W.

Martin Luther King Blvd, to honor all first responders and fallen heroes followed by a parade through downtown San Marcos. Church celebrations are planned at many area houses of worship throughout the month.

Juneteenth Foundation, Inc., chairman David Peterson, who also serves as Precinct 1 Constable, thanked Hays County General Counsel Mark Kennedy and presented him with an award for his 10 years of service to the Juneteenth Charity BBQ Cook-off Committee, noting that Kennedy started off as a “taster” and quickly became indispensable as an all-around assistant for the charity event, spending more than eight years as its president.

The Court thanked the Juneteenth Foundation and BBQ Cook-off Committee, the Cake Auction Scholarship Committee, the Dunbar Heritage Association, Pride of San Marcos Lodge #494, and Impact San Marcos, along with all the volunteers who help make these events happen for the public to reflect and enjoy.

Photo Attached:

Elected officials, event volunteers, and community members turned out to celebrate Juneteenth Month 2018. Left to right, Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Jones, Mary Earls, Hays County General Counsel Office Legal Assistant Debra Anderson, Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe, General Counsel Mark Kennedy, Ollie Giles, Ramika Adams, Willie Adams, Rose Brooks, Eddie Gonzales, County Courts-at-Law Assistant Court Administrator Kelli Stapp, Antonio Palacios, Precinct 1 Constable Office Justice Clerk Joe Lucio, Jon Leonard, Harvey Jenkins, Precinct 1 Constable and Juneteenth Foundation Chair David Peterson, Precinct 3 Commissioner Lon Shell, and Precinct 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant.