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© St. Petersburg Times, published June 13, 2002
Juneteenth celebrations
For the 11th year, three St. Petersburg events will mark Juneteenth, the commemoration of June 1865, when word of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation reached enslaved African-Americans in the South: a festival, a gospel celebration and a candlelight vigil.
Above, Lisa Bauford, center, dances with her sister Santana, left, and Carlonda McTier, right, at the 2001 Juneteenth Family Funfest. This year's Funfest is from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday in Campbell Park, 601 14th St. S.
The entertainment includes the Imani African Dance troupe, music by Mr. Rush, Soul Purpose, Kayla Hill, Melanie, Jazz Summit, Spy vs. Spy, No Kin, Act 3, Power Zone Praise Band and many other gospel, R & B, hip-hop and jazz performers.
There also will be arts and crafts, storytelling, historical re-enactors, political and community speakers, children's activities and food vendors.
The Juneteenth Gospel Extravaganza starts at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Genesis Worship Center, 1818 29th Ave. N.
And the Juneteenth Candlelight Vigil begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Straub Park, Fifth Avenue NE and Bayshore Drive. The vigil will include spirituals and songs honoring those forced to leave Africa for enslavement in America.
All the events are free. For information, call (727) 821-3833.