The City of Sanford Appearance Commission invites the community to “Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom,” a free evening of performances that explore the impact of slavery while celebrating the fight for freedom.
Juneteenth is a federal holiday that commemorates June 19, 1865 – the day when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas with news of freedom. Juneteenth has been celebrated in Texas since 1866 but only became a national holiday in 2021.
“Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom” will be held Wednesday, June 19 at W.B. Wicker Elementary School starting at 6pm. The event will feature African dance and drumming from Chris Thompson and the Cultural Ensemble followed by original music by Rod Brower and the Together-N-Unity Choir and Ray Owen.
The evening will start with a reading by the Juneteenth poetry contest winner, whose submission features the life of Line Bingham. Bingham is a woman who had been enslaved in Texas until 1865 and then became part of the story of early Sanford.
“We are honored to be part of the history of resilience, determination, and achievement that Juneteenth represents,” says Liz Whitmore, historic planner for the City of Sanford and liaison to the Appearance Commission. “It is very fitting to hold the event at W.B. Wicker Elementary School, which was a Rosenwald school that served as Sanford’s high school for African Americans until integration in 1969.”
Sharing the story of Line Bingham with a new generation is a cornerstone of the event, especially during Sanford’s sesquicentennial year. “It is very special for Sanford to have its own link to Juneteenth and for that link to be such a brave and determined woman,” Whitmore says.
In addition to the Appearance Commission, “Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom” is supported by the Lee County Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
For more information, visit our website or contact Liz Whitmore at 919-718-4657 x5393 or via email.