Pasadena Celebrates Juneteenth

Pasadena officially celebrated the Juneteenth holiday with a bash Saturday at Robinson Park featuring live music, food, and dozens of community resource tables. It was the first such celebration following the two-year pandemic which prevented such large gatherings.

Mayor Victor Gordo said in an email to community members last week that “Juneteenth commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States. Two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, the news reached Texas. Upon learning of the abolition of slavery, the former slaves began celebrating with prayer, feasting, song and dance. We now recognize it as a day to reflect and celebrate African American history and culture.”

In June of 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation that declared Juneteenth—a blend of “June” and “Nineteenth”— a Federal holiday. IKt is officially celebrated June 19.

“We’re celebrating something very important,”  said Tyanta “Ty” Snow, recreation specialist at Jackie Robinson Park.

“Juneteenth means so much to African-American people,” he said, “because it’s a holiday of freedom, love, unity and acceptance. It’s an important thing for Black people and all people around the world to understand that we are one. And this is one day to celebrate us being one. 

“It’s not just a Black event,” said Snow, “but it’s a community event for everyone to be involved in.”

Snow added, “Juneteenth is big here in the City of Pasadena, and it should be around the world, and we’re expecting the growth of this event, and this day being celebrated for many more years to come.”

More than 200 residents attended the morning and afternoon affair, and danced to live music from a variety of local artists. Children shot baskets and kicked soccer balls at inflatable displays, and dozens of community groups provided information on everything from vaccinations to housing and jobs. 

Related Juneteenth events are planned throughout Southern California the rest of the month.