2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration is June 16th!
By Cole Goodwin
Hood River, Ore., May 30, 2024 — Black in the Gorge will host its second annual Juneteenth celebration at Jackson Park from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on June 16, 2024.
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and is a day of reflection and celebration of African American freedom and achievements.
The free community event will feature an afternoon filled with plenty of music, food, crafts, dancing, and fun with various activities and a community art project celebrating freedom, liberation, community spirit, and the contributions of the Black community in the Columbia Gorge.
Making Music and Art as Community
Photo: Adam Pennavaria
“This year, we welcome the joyful sounds of Boca Marimba. This exciting Portland-based marimba band plays traditional Zimbabwean and southeast African songs that will have you up and dancing!” said Ann Harris, Founding member of B.I.G.
New this year is an opportunity to sing with the Gorge Freedom Choir.
Photo: Adam Pennavaria
“Juneteenth is a community celebration, so we are forming a Gorge Freedom Choir and we want you to be a part of it! Let’s get together and make a joyful noise! All are welcome to attend one or two practices and then sing at the event! This is a choir for everyone! Beginning and experienced singers are welcome! Come join us in singing a few traditional freedom songs.
We will practice at Riverside Church (4th and State Streets in Hood River). The dates are June 4 and 11 at 7:00 p.m.” said Harris.
You can sign up for the choir at https://beav.es/cFP.
“If you can’t come to both practices or forget to sign up in advance… just show up! We welcome YOU!” encouraged Harris.
There will also be a new community art project this year!
“One of the features of the 2023 Juneteenth celebration included an art project created by Linda Floyd and Amirra Malak. Community members were prompted to define what freedom means to them. People of all ages contributed their expressions which were used to make a freedom quilt. You can see the final artwork at the June 16 celebration,” said Linda Floyd, founding member of B.I.G.
Photo: Adam Pennavaria
This year the community art project will be led by Linda Floyd, Robin Allen, Tim Harkins (Executive Director of Columbia Center for the Arts) and Latoya Lovely (a Portland artist).
“We are hoping to engage the community once again and make beautiful art,” said Floyd.
Evelyn Charity and Ann Harris, founding members of Black in the Gorge emphasized the event's importance.
“I am certain that Juneteenth has provided an opportunity for the community to learn about this important historical event. As an educator, I feel that although Juneteenth was proclaimed a national holiday, most people don't know the significance of it. By having a community come together, for the second year makes me realize how lucky we are to live here. The planning is hard work, but well worth it!” said Evelyn Charity, founding member of B.I.G.
Photo: Adam Pennavaria
“It felt so good to celebrate Juneteenth here in my community of the Gorge! As a Black woman, it really meant a lot to me to see that people came out and actively engaged in this celebration of Black history, freedom and joy!! I am so excited for this year and hope that many more people will come and enjoy!!” said Harris.
Supporting the Black Community
The Juneteenth celebration will help support the "Black in the Gorge" (B.I.G.) initiative, a partnership between Oregon State University Extension Open Campus program and The Next Door, Inc.
B.I.G. was established to reduce isolation for Black and Black Biracial youth and families,, create social and educational opportunities, facilitate meaningful connections with Black role models, and build bridges of cross-cultural connection within the community.
The program also focuses on supporting Black and biracial Black youth and their families in the Gorge, organizing monthly gatherings, picnics, Kwanzaa celebrations, potlucks and a bowling night. In the future, they hope to add movie nights and outdoor activities to the monthly activities list.
The first Juneteenth celebration in 2023 drew over 200 attendees, involving 47 volunteers, and raised $9,350 to cover the event's expenses and contribute $5,000 to start the BiG Scholarship fund. The organizers hope to raise an additional $5,000 for the scholarship fund this year.
How to Get Involved
The community is encouraged to participate in the celebration and support the BiG Scholarship fund. Donations can be made through the Gorge Community Foundation at gorgecf.org. Simply select a donation amount and scroll to select “Black in the Gorge” from the donation recipient list.
For more information on the event or to get involved as a volunteer, interested parties can contact blackinthegorge@gmail.com. Updates and additional details are also available on the Black in the Gorge Facebook page.
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