Hays County Courthouse, San Marcos, TX (June 5, 2019) – The Hays County Commissioners Court on Tuesday proclaimed June as Juneteenth Month in Hays County and called upon the residents of Hays County to recognize the importance of Juneteenth to human freedom so cherished by the people of the United States.
Juneteenth celebrates the day, two-and-a-half years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, the word came to slaves in Texas that they were free: June 19, 1865. Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger landed at Galveston and made the announcement.
In 1979 Gov. William P. Clements signed a bill into law that made Juneteenth Emancipation Day a state holiday in Texas.
The Juneteenth Foundation, Inc. committee will host Juneteenth festivities that raise funds for scholarships and to assist with other financial needs.
Celebrate Juneteenth 2019 with Rose Brook’s Cake Auction on Thursday, June 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the San Marcos Activity Center; a charity BBQ Cook-off Competition and Music Festival (coordinated by Precinct 1 Constable David Peterson) that includes fun for kids of all ages at the San Marcos City Plaza Park from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, June 14 and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 15; the Johnnie Armstead Parade through downtown San Marcos beginning at 9 a.m on Saturday, June 15, and various church celebrations throughout the whole month.
To volunteer or donate for the Cake Auction, contact Michele Burleson at 512-557-6850. The Juneteenth Foundation has information about all its events on its Facebook page and on its website at
www.juneteenthfoundationinc.org.