On Friday, communities in East Alabama and West Georgia celebrated Juneteenth. In Lanett, the Greater Valley Juneteenth group held their event at the playground area across from W.O. Lance Elementary School.
“First of all, we give thanks to the Almighty for bringing the rain to the Greater Valley area, allowing us to have our community festival here. We probably had about 15 food vendors present. The Army helped provide live entertainment, along with wonderful line dancing. We also had amazing support from other sponsors. Juneteenth would not be possible without the backing of our business community, including the cities of Lanett and West Point, the Development Authority, Kia of Georgia, Sewingmachine.com, Pilgrim Baptist, Lanier Historical, nearly all of our funeral homes, and Team W.H.I.P,” said Trudye Johnson from the Greater Valley Juneteenth group.
Johnson explained the significance of Juneteenth and its importance to local communities. “Juneteenth celebrates the abolishment of slavery. In 1865, at the end of the Civil War, when word reached the slaves in Galveston, Texas, that slavery had ended and that Abraham Lincoln had abolished it, they broke out in song, dance, and praise. We have been celebrating freedom for all ever since.”
In 2021, the federal government recognized Juneteenth as a federal holiday, and the cities of Lanett, West Point, and LaFayette all observe Juneteenth as a legal holiday in their towns. “I think the word is really beginning to spread,” added Johnson.
The Greater Valley Juneteenth has been celebrated since 2010, and this year marks their 15th year of festivities. “We recently awarded Essie M. Harris scholarships, which we began in April,” Johnson noted.
The Essie M. Harris scholarships were awarded to Carington King of Lanett High School and Josh Camp of Springwood.
The day concluded with a fireworks display over the Lanett Mill site courtesy of Boom City USA in Huguley.
