Santa Cruz Junenteenth Celebration 2015

Join the the Santa Cruz African American community Saturday, June 13, 11:30 -5pm in celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation! Santa Cruz Juneteenth Celebration is a FREE festival at Laurel St Park.

The days festivities begin with a parade led by SambaDá from Abbott Square to Laurel Park at 11:30 am.
Performers at the park include:
Kev Choice
The Joint Chiefs Band
Tammi Brown - Singer (Musician)
Rich Tycoon
Monterey Peninsula Gospel Choir
The Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center Boys Hip Hop Team
and many more!

Enjoy delicious soul food, art activities by the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, basketball skills contest with Santa Cruz Warriors mascot Mavriks, non-profits ABC/African-American Community Health Group of the Central Coast Health Fair, NAACP Santa Cruz and the annual sack race!

Basketball Skills Contest - Harbor High basketball coach, Lee Earl along with Parks and Recreation staff will lead kids and adults in fun, basketball skill-oriented games. Prizes will be provided by the Santa Cruz Warriors!
• 3-Point Shoot Out - 12:00 pm
• Skills Challenge - 1:00 pm
• Shot Competition - 2:00 pm
Sign up at the Louden Nelson Community Center at 301 Center Street or for more information call 831-420-6177.

On June 19th, 1865, Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, Texas with the news the Civil War had ended and enslaved were now free. 150 years later, we celebrate this remarkable event at Juneteenth celebrations across the country. A long-held tradition among African Americans, Juneteenth celebrates culture and is special day for anyone who believes in freedom and equality for all people.