The Juneteenth Committee was established by the Greater East Austin Youth Association (GEAYA), which consists of volunteers from Businesses and Nonprofits. As Community Leaders and Activists we are dedicated to the promotion, enhancement and continual growth of the Freedom Day (Juneteenth) Celebration.
MISSION: Our Mission is to create diversity and cultural awareness about Texas African American History through events, educational programs and individual projects.
GOALS: Our goal is to raise funds for the programs supported by Greater East Austin Youth Association a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, which began as a football program but has now expanded to year around sports activities, mentorship and skills and social training for the disadvantaged youth of Central Texas.
Please visit www.geaya.net for more information and see how to become a volunteer.
Copyright 1996-2011. Central Texas Juneteenth Committee. All rights reserved.
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TO THE CENTRAL TEXAS JUNETEENTH WEBSITE
JUNETEENTH
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Quick Links
Central Texas Juneteenth Celebration:
It’s Good for the Soul
Parade and Vendor Registration Forms
are available for pick up at the following locations.
Rosewood Recreation Center
1182 North Pleasant Valley Road
Austin, TX 78702
Hours of Operation
Mon.-Thurs.:1pm - 9pm
Fri.: 10am-6pm
Closed Saturday/Sunday
PARADE FORMS ONLY
Precinct 1
Constable Danny Thomas
1811 Springdale Rd., # 120
Austin, TX 78721
Ask for Gwen Doyle
Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm
History of Juneteenth
"Juneteenth" is the oldest known African American celebration commemorating the end of slavery. Slaves were declared free on January 1, 1863,under the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln, which declared that all slaves living in states still in rebellion were "then, thenceforward, and forever free". However, African Americans in Texas were not aware of the proclamation, until June 19, 1865, when General Gordon Granger, the commander of U.S. Troops in Texas, arrived in Galveston and read General Order 3, making emancipation a reality in Texas.
"Juneteenth" celebrations grew from the efforts of former slaves to mark the moment of their emancipation. In the years following the Civil War, African Americans often met with resistance from the rest of te community to the celebrate "Juneteenth". To insure that celebrations would continue, many African American communities purchase "emancipation grounds" and moved the celebration to private property. Emancipation Park in East Austin, was such a location. In 1930 the first Juneteenth Celebration was held at Rosewood Park.
