2017 Folsom Juneteenth Beach Party at Negro Bar State Park

In 1848, Negro Bar was an early mining community during the California Gold Rush, on the riverfront cattle and wheat property at Rancho Rio de los Americanos, owned by the “African Founding Father of California,” Honorable William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. who was elected Treasurer for the City of San Francisco and earlier, US Vice Consul, Alta California, Mexico, 1844-1846.

If you attend 2017 Folsom Juneteenth, you will learn about the region surrounding the mining town of Negro Bar, Sacramento County and our unique California Juneteenth, journey towards freedom.

We will begin the day with opening prayers by the interfaith leaders, share the legacy of Juneteenth, and demonstrate the living history of US Colored Troops. Official resolutions and acknowledgements by regional political leaders and our Juneteenth Barbecue Beach Party is designed to attract overnight camping and/or local hotel accommodations for a weekend of discovery.

Juneteenth is an American celebration of freedom recognizing the final battles of the US Civil War at Port Galveston Island, Texas where General Granger and the Union Army, including US Colored Troops secured the US/Mexico border in a 7 week campaign throughout Texas freeing those enslaved, enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation.

Together, we continue to identify, document, preserve and share the authentic contributions by people of African ancestry 1840-1875 along the American River Parkway, from Old Sacramento, Sutter's Fort, Historic Negro Bar, Historic Negro Hill and Coloma.

Negro Bar Historic State Park is poised to tell the story of people of African Ancestry significant contribution along the American River Parkway, part of an ongoing effort to expand inclusion and create a California African American Heritage Commission.

2017 Folsom Juneteenth honors the amazing contribution and sacrifice by US Colored Troops during the US Civil War and introduces local unknown "hidden figures" who lived along the American River Parkway, (1840-1875.)

Event Contact: Michael Harris
(916) 997-2451