Juneteenth Fun Celebrates Family and Heritage

By Gloria Way

   Hundreds of families gathered Saturday afternoon in Gregory Park in Stowell, Texas to celebrate the new national holiday Juneteenth.

  Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a federal holiday in the United States that commemorates the end of slavery in the country. It specifically celebrates June 19, 1865, the date when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom by Union soldiers, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. 

 Organizers Marilyn Green and Sophia Thomas met with community members and planned a family event that included dozens of cookers, food and drinks, and music. Literally dozens of grills and smokers were lined up under the beautiful oak trees that line the perimeter of the park. Dozens of kids played basketball in the covered pavilion while others enjoyed the new playground equipment.

  The “old timers” set up lawn chairs under the oak trees and visited with lifelong friends and family members. Everyone had plenty of delicious food to eat along with slushies being served to everyone. The Stowell Juneteenth celebration is always open to the public and free to everyone.

 Awards were presented to several Stowell residents for their longtime service and contributions to the community. Leroy Green and the late Josh Moore family were presented with plaques naming the pavilion the Green and Moore Pavilion. Everett Guidry received an award for his contribution to the youth of the community with his coaching and serving on youth sports boards as well as the ECISD board. Marilyn Green was recognized for her hard work on park improvements that included the mural and walking path. She is currently working hard with other community leaders for a splash pad water park to be installed in Gregory Park.

  As the evening progressed, a Boots on the Ground line dancing competition was held. The dance steps for “Boots on the Ground” came from Tre Little, the founder of Dem Kuntry Folks, a Georgia dance team. He first heard the song a few weeks before its release, when the DJ Payme posted a snippet of the song on TikTok. Marilyn Green sponsored the dance contest. There were three categories. The adult category’s first place winner was Shirleen Thomas, the young adult category first place winner was Jaleisa Anderson, and the children’s category was won by Aileigh Green.