Odyssey World International Education Services and community sponsors will host the Juneteenth Freedom Celebration from 1 to 7 p.m. June 17 in Esther Short Park. Enjoy the richness of African American culture and celebrate America’s shared ideals of liberty and justice for all. The festival features food, live music, art and traditional games. See the full event schedule at www.JFCvancouver.org.
Juneteenth is a federal and state holiday in honor of the day that Union soldiers brought the news to the last enslaved African Americans that they were free under President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. This celebration is for all Americans to remember America’s commitment to liberty and justice.