Alliance celebrated Juneteenth on June 20 with a parade and community picnic in a city park.
The 6th annual celebration began with an 80-unit parade that stepped off from Maple Beach Park and traveled nearly 2 miles around the city’s north side before ending at Thompson-Snodgrass Park. The parade also crossed the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Viaduct.
There were twirlers, steppers, horses, fire trucks and local nonprofit and business units. At least half of the parade units were auto enthusiasts. Once at Thompson-Snodgrass, they lined up for a car show.
Juneteenth is a national holiday that commemorates June 19, 1865, the day enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom.
Corlan Grimes’ daughter marched in the parade for the Wolf Pack competitive cheerleading team. He said the Juneteenth celebration is good for the community.
“I think it just uplifts everyone, and gives everyone something to look forward to,” Grimes said.
Ande’marie Green, one of the Alliance’s organizers, said the Juneteenth festival takes months of preparation and a team of volunteers.
“This is a chance for the community to come out and support each other, with good vibes,” she said.
The event also features a 3-on-3 basketball tournament at Thompson-Snodgrass Park, with teams that feature six-man rosters. Vendors set up in the park selling different crafts and other items, and food trucks also are on hand.
Juneteenth in Alliance also included a flag football tournament at Alliance High School. It was a five-man tournament.
Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com.
This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Alliance’s Juneteenth events celebrate history
Reporting by Benjamin Duer, Alliance Review / The Alliance Review
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Benjamin Duer, Alliance Review | USA TODAY Network
