‘A Day in the A’ Juneteenth celebration set for Saturday

Kaminski “Choc” Garner and Chris Barfield, with support from the community of Atlanta and surrounding areas, will host the fourth annual ‘A Day in the A’ Juneteenth Celebration at McNoble Harper Park on Polk Street in Atlanta this Saturday.

“We give away free food, bikes to the kids, backpacks and school supplies. We got live performances and showcase local talents. Everything is pretty much free except for the food that you buy from the vendors", Garner said.

A family-friendly event that has continued to be well received in the community, 'A Day in the A' has grown in popularity year after year.

“The first year, when we first brought it about, we got 67 shares on Facebook and there were between 150 to 200 people there. In the second year, we got 100 shares and that brought out about 250 to 300 people. Last year we got right at 220 shares and that brought out right at 500 people. This year, 500-plus shares so we’re expecting every bit of 1000 people.”

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers landed at Galveston with news that the Civil War had ended and that slaves were now free--two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

The Emancipation Proclamation, signed Jan 1, 1863, had little impact on Texas due to a sparse Union presence to enforce Lincoln’s executive order.

“We do this to bring knowledge to Juneteenth”, Garner said, “we want to spread the message about Juneteenth just to get it out there so everybody will know what it’s about.”

“There’s never been any negative feedback about it. I personally, me and Barfield, we clean up the park—make sure all the trash gets picked up”, Garner said, “We got the support from the city, we got the support from the neighborhood. It’s just a great event.”

Garner said all are welcome to attend.

“All ethnicities are welcome. Everyone is welcome. This is not a total black event.”

Attendees will be directed to utilize an open field across from the Head Start which is approximately 50 yards away from the park.

A parade will begin at 10 a.m. The main event will begin at 6 p.m.