HUTTO – From card games and dominoes to linedance lessons and bounce houses, Hutto’s Boots & Buckles Juneteenth Freedom March and Festival on Sunday had something for everyone.
The four-hour event on June 22 included inspirational speakers, scholarship awards, education about Black trailblazers, vendors, community games, pony rides, a kids’ play area, live music and dancing. The festival was held by Black Families of Hutto with the city as one of the sponsors.
The celebration started with a Freedom March led by Onnesha Williams, a member of Black Families of Hutto. Community members held Juneteenth signs and marched from Ray Elementary School to Adam Orgain Park, the latter named after an early Hutto resident and emancipated settler.
Williams led the group through songs as they marched, ranging from gospel tunes to selections inspired by the American Civil War with lyrics including, “We are not afraid. We will overcome.”
“Even though we might struggle, even though we might not see the light, we pass it on to others and they fight,” Williams said. “That song was about being a soldier and fighting until you die. Because honestly during slavery a lot of people never saw their freedom, but they still passed on the will to be human, and the will to fight.”
Juneteenth, which is also known as Freedom Day or Juneteenth Independence Day, commemorates the announcement in Galveston by federal troops on June 19, 1865, when enslaved Texans learned of their emancipation. President Joe Biden made June 19 a federal holiday in 2021.
Attendees filled the pavilion area of the park as they enjoyed games, food and music, including many families with children.
“It’s important for us to look behind us but also look ahead of us and to leave a legacy for the kids, and them leaving a legacy for their kids,” Williams said.
Lakeisha Artley-Jenkins brought her children Destiny and DeSean to experience the community event.
“We came to celebrate our heritage and make sure that we teach our kids the importance of Juneteenth and why we celebrate it. It’s an awesome turnout, a lot of different activities for the kids, very family-oriented,” she said.
Janet Horace, another volunteer with Black Families of Hutto, said having activities that appealed to a wide variety was part of the vision for the event.
“For me it’s the togetherness and oneness of everybody coming together. It’s not a Black holiday, it’s a holiday for everybody to enjoy and come together and hang out and do what they like to do,” she said.
Mayor Mike Snyder agreed and said while the event celebrates the end of slavery in Texas, it’s part of a larger concept.
“This is a great way to try to help bring everyone together and celebrate something important to our community. It’s been a divisive time recently and here everybody can get together and all be a part of the same community,” he said.
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“It’s not a Black holiday, it’s a holiday for everybody to enjoy and come together.”
— Janet Horace
