Juneteenth 2016 Celebrations in Sugarland

By Alex Wukman

Fort Bend County, TX  – Just because a city isn’t hosting its own Juneteenth 2016 party doesn’t mean that residents and tourists can’t find a place to commemorates June 19, 1865 — the day Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas and announced that the Civil War was over and that all slaves were free.
Although, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, the order had little impact on the daily lives of the estimated 250,000 slaves in Texas. 
One reason why slavery was still being practiced in Texas two-and-a-half years after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation was the lack of Union troops to enforce the decree. 
While Juneteenth is celebrated in over 40 states across the U.S. and is a Texas-wide holiday, the Houston area is — and most likely always will be — the holiday’s spiritual home. Observing Juneteenth isn’t limited to the people in the city limits of Houston — there are celebrations and rememberances throughout Fort Bend County. 

Here are some of the Juneteenth Celebrations scheduled in surrounding communities:  

Missouri City 
The Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation has spent 14 years working to bring positive attention to African-Americans in the Missouri City/Fort Bend COunty area, while celebrating the Emancipation Proclamation.The organization promotes and produces five days of events and activities to raise money to help send students to college.

Juneteenth Scholarship Golf Tournament
Monday June 13, 2016  
7 a.m. Registration, 8 a.m. Shotgun Start 
Quail Valley Golf Course 
2880 La Quinta Dr.
Missouri City, TX  77459
Admission: $100 Individual,$400 Team
The annual Mousiri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation golf tournament helps raise money to send children to college. The 18-hole tournament is open to individuals and teams of all skill levels. 
Participants will be able to win goodie bags and attend a post-event awards luncheon. 
 
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Juneteenth COmmunity Service Awards Gala
6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. gala
Quail Valley City Centre' 
2880 La Quinta Dr.      
Missouri City, TX 77459
Admission: $100 seat, $1,000 table
One facet of the Juneteenth celebration is the Community Service Awards Gala. This event recognizes area community leaders who exemplify conviction, purpose and enthusiasm as responsible citizens of the community.

Friday, June 17, 2016
Family Funday in the Park
6 p.m. Carnival Opens, Movie Begins at Dusk
Hunters Glen Park
1340 Independence
Missouri City, Texas 77489                        
Free admission
 
A full day of events and activities are planned with the family in mind for this day in the park. The carnival open at 6 p.m. with various interactive games, rides and entertainment.
At dusk, a featured film selected with family friendly content will be shown many specialized food vendors on hand with the munchies.

Juneteenth Parade and Battle of the Bands
Saturday, June 18, 2016
7 p.m. 
Thurgood Marshall High School, 1220 Buffalo Run, Missouri City, TX 77489
Free admission  
The “One Mile of Smiles” Juneteenth Parade, is one of the MCJCF's showcase events. The parade, which runs almost exactly one mile down FM 2234 from Thurgood Marshall High School to a Wells Fargo branch at 2440 FM 2234, brings nationally renown high school marching bands--as well as various corporate and civic groups, celebrities and dignitaries--to Missouri City.
Immediately after the parade, the marching bands will duke it out at Hunters Glen Park, 1340 Independence Blvd., in a battle of the bands for bragging rights, trophies and prizes. Among the band programs competing this year are: Phillis Wheatley High School and Madison High School. The competion is also bringing out the Greater Houston All Star Band and its sister the Greater Fort Bend All Star Band. 

Stafford
Juneteenth Parade
Sat. June 11, 2016 
10 a.m. 
Stafford Boys & Girls Club
3110 Fifth St., Stafford, TX  
For more information call 281-839-4235

Richmond 
Juneteenth Historical re-enactment
Sat. June 18, 2016 
9 a.m. 
George Ranch Historical Park
10215 FM 762, Richmond, TX 77469
On June19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger declared, “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”
Observe a re-enactment of this historic speech, participate in a historic picnic and learn about the African-American workers who helped shape the Ranch and the enduring African-American contribution to the George family legacy.

For those who are in the mood for a more boisterous Juneteenth celebration, there are events in Houston Pasadena and Clear Lake-Galveston areas. Also if we missed any Juneteenth celebrations drop us an e-mail or post in the comment below, just don’t be surprised if your Uncle’s block party doesn’t make the list. 

alex.wukman@patch.com