West Hartford Juneteenth Committee Fundaising For Celebration

WEST HARTFORD, CT — West Hartford's 3rd annual Juneteenth Celebration will return to Blue Back Square on June 19, and the town's Juneteenth Committee is hoping to raise $15,000 to cover the event's expenses.

The committee is looking for "sponsors" to help pay for entertainment, AV equipment, family activities, artists, food, and other supplies.

Officials estimate the event will cost around $15,000, and so far the committee has raised nearly $8,300 via its GoFundMe.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the date Union General Gordon Granger visited Galveston, Texas to tell enslaved African Americans they were free — enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation, which President Abraham Lincoln had signed more than two and a half years prior.

West Hartford will celebrate in Blue Back Square from noon to 4 p.m. with a proclamation, keynote speakers, performances and vendors, the Hartford Courant reported.

"This year's celebration will feature even more family-friendly activities and high-energy live music and entertainment to celebrate FREEDOM in true fashion!" officials wrote on the GoFundMe page.

Anyone interested in supporting the event can donate here or mail a check to:

The RiseUP Group, Inc.
942 Main St.
Hartford, CT 06103

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