2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration at George Dailey Park, 245 Selma Rd., Wednesday, June 19th from 10am - 1pm
The City of Montevallo’s Parks & Recreation Board will host their 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration from 10am–1pm at George Dailey Park on Wednesday, June 19. This free-admission event will feature a program, refreshments, children’s activities, and community organizations. Visit the event on the Montevallo Parks & Recreation Board Facebook page.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in June 2021. It is a national celebration of freedom: the anniversary of June 19, 1865, the day enslaved people in Texas learned they had been set free for two years.
“We are excited to host our 2nd Annual Juneteenth celebration in George Dailey Park,” said Pamela Smith, Chair of Montevallo’s volunteer Parks & Recreation Board. “We invite everyone to join us on June 19th to honor the resilience, courage, and enduring spirit of those who fought tirelessly for liberation. This event, a vision and dream of the late Parks & Recreation Board Member Johnny Holsombeck, is a testament to the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality for generations to come.”
“We are delighted to partner with several local organizations to bring you a day of celebration, reflection and education,” Smith continued. “In addition to honored guest speakers, the program will showcase youth groups from local churches and a live performance led by students of DRUM the Program. I extend a heartfelt thank you to all the organizations, volunteers, and special guests who have made this event possible. A special 'Thank you' to the Montevallo Parks and Recreation Board members for their tireless work and dedication to serving the people of Montevallo. Bring your lawn chair or beach blanket and join us for a day of reflection, unity and joy amidst the beauty of George Dailey Park!”
The event will kick off at 10:00 AM. Retired educators Dr. Annie McClain and Mr. Johnny McClain will be the Mistress and Master of Ceremonies of the Program. Other program participants will include Mayor Rusty Nix, Ashley Evans, youth from local churches, City Council District 2 representative Lelia Horton Mitchell, and Parks & Recreation Board Chair Pamela Smith. Special recognitions will include a posthumous honoring of longtime former Parks & Recreation Board member Johnny Holsombeck, as well as DRUM the Program, and Girl Scout Troop 205.
At 10:30 AM, event-goers will enjoy a performance led by students of DRUM the Program, a Montevallo-based cultural arts platform that provides relevant educational experiences of West African drum and dance that serves to develop social-emotional learning skills, serving youth ages 8 -16. From 10:45 AM – 11:15 AM, the audience will be invited to participate in a drum class led by master percussionist Aboubacar Sylla. Learn more on his website, https://www.syllamusic.com/.
Other community partners who will be on site include Montevallo Junior City Council, Impact Montevallo, Montevallo Legacy Project, Montevallo Main Street, Shelby County NAACP, Parnell Memorial Library, God Did It Ministries, Survivor's Rock, Inc., the Town of Wilton, and Gamma Phi Delta Sorority Inc. Alpha Pi Chapter.
“I was elated when Mr. Johnny Holsombeck of the Montevallo Parks and Recreation Board approached me at the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce Luncheon in May 2023 and asked me to assist with the Juneteenth Celebration at the George Dailey Park,” said Councilwoman Lelia Mitchell. “Mr. Holsombeck said that he wanted to have activities, games for the youth, fellowship and food. I told him that I would go to work on this project and get back with him because we had less than a month to prepare for the program and activities for the Juneteenth Celebration. Before I could get back in touch with Mr. Holsombeck, he was in the hospital and unfortunately passed away. The First Juneteeth Celebration was a grand success under the circumstances. Our theme was ‘A Community Fellowship of Love and Unity: Who the Son has set Free is Free Indeed (John 8:36).’”
Mitchell continued, “I am truly honored to serve in the City of Montevallo as a Council Person with Mayor Rusty Nix and my fellow City Council Persons, as well as with the committees and commissions as they outreach and serve the City of Montevallo with gladness and promote our citizens and youth. Thanks to Mr. Johnny Holsombeck for choosing the historical George Dailey Park for the location of the Juneteenth Celebration which is in District Two where I serve as Councilperson. Everyone is welcome to come and fellowship with the City of Montevallo!”