Here's a glimpse of our performers and presenters
Keur Khayeli, African Dancers and drummers
Jai Anthonee, Vocalist
The Benny Russell Big Band
Janice Greene as Harriet Tubman
Kelvin Fowler as Josiah Henson
Brittany Martin as Edmonia Highgate
Breana Ross, Children's Book Author and Journalist
Renee Emanuel, Storyteller
Debra Mims,
Storyteller
And so much more...
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Horse Rides by City Ranch
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Genealogy Workshop by the Paca Descendants
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Kids Crafts and giveaways
And so much more...
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N-Step Forward Skill-building presentations
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Voters Registration
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Upper Chesapeake Health Van
And so much more...
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Craft Vendors
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Informational Booths
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Food Trucks
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Great Bike Give Away
Meet our Partners, who helped to make this event happen.
Celebrate with Us!
Each year, Hosanna School Museum is planning to offer a special selection of commemorative items that celebrate Juneteenth and feature our unique Hosanna design.
This year we created a new logo that reflects the African roots of the African American experience. Look closely and you will see the 19 and the word June in the pattern for a customized African textile design.
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T-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and more--you can choose and they are delivered directly to your door. Or you can have them sent anywhere as a gift.
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History of Juneteenth
Juneteenth is the oldest commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19th, 1865, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Union General Gordon Granger announced the end of the war and read General Order No. 3 in Galveston, Texas, which declared that the enslaved were free.
The presence of few Union troops in Texas, one of the states that rebelled against the Union, made it difficult to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. General Lee’s surrender in April 1865, along with General Granger’s regiment, provided the necessary influence needed to impose the mandate.
Hosanna's Juneteenth Celebrations
The 2023 Upper Bay Juneteenth Festival is Hosanna’s seventh year hosting a Juneteenth event. After two years of virtual events, we came back strong in 2022 in-person. In 2021 we hosted a virtual program and a hybrid event in the 2020 with a mask giveaway and sale. We are glad to be back in person to enjoy the sense of community felt when several organizations come together to make this event possible.
Efforts to Recognize Juneteenth
as a National Holiday
Juneteenth is recognized as a State holiday in 47 of the 50 US states. Maryland legislatures testified in March 2021 to advocate for the passage of HB 0448, which would make Juneteenth a paid State holiday. All State employees would receive the day off, with pay. On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden declared Juneteenth a National Federal Holiday.
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