It's been 143 years since slaves in Texas learned they'd been freed from slavery. Unfortunately, that was two years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation had officially freed them.
So was born Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Here in Seattle, Juneteenth is being celebrated with a three-day festival presented by the Central Area Chamber of Commerce today through Sunday at Pratt Park in Seattle, with at 2 p.m. Saturday parade from East Cherry Street to East Yesler Way, then on East Yesler Way to Pratt Park. Entertainment includes DJs and live music and dancing, featuring hip-hop and spoken word today and R&B and jazz Saturday. Sunday's "Church in the Park" Gospel Expo highlights local choirs, preachers and soloists.
Noon to dusk today-Sunday at Pratt Park, 18th Avenue South and South Main Street, Seattle; free (206-325-2864 or www.scacc2108.org).
Seattle Times staff
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