Time to free up your Saturday
Lincoln City hosts its first Juneteenth celebration
Lincoln City will celebrate freedom this Saturday, June 17, with Juneteenth: a Freedom Celebration.
Held at Regatta Park on the shores of Devils Lake, this special event features live music from local performers, guest speakers, activities for kids and a free BBQ lunch.
Juneteenth, a term derived from “June Nineteenth,” commemorates the day upon which Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865, asserting control of the Confederate state and finally eradicating slavery in the US. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday in 2021.
“Juneteenth represents a pivotal moment in our country’s history, and we’re proud to acknowledge and celebrate this important event together as a community,” said City Manager Daphnee Legarza. “‘Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration’ offers coastal residents and visitors an opportunity to enjoy an afternoon of history, culture and community while enjoying great music, participating in family friendly activities and sharing delicious food.”
Live music will be provided by local performers Thunder & Lightness World Beat Ensemble and Jimi Hardin Motown Soul featuring Christina Estes. The celebration is a collaboration between Lincoln City Parks & Recreation, the Rotary Club of Lincoln City, Explore Lincoln City, Driftwood Public Library and the Lincoln City Cultural Center.
The lunch will be catered by Phill’s Smoke/N/Grill, with a menu featuring ribs, chicken, coleslaw, potato salad, vegan sausage and vegetables. Food will be served while supplies last.
Lincoln County's own well-known Thunder & Lightness World Beat Ensemble opens the music on the covered Morgan Family stage at 11 am with a high-energy blend of multicultural traditional and indigenous rhythm and song. The group includes World Beat percussionist Chandler Davis on the authentic African hand drums, Lewis Smith on Polynesian log drums, the Osage Nation's Terry Filer on the Native American flutes, and special guests.
Following at noon is Jimi Hardin's Motown Soul Band, from Portland, featuring vocalist Grace London and performing covers of hits by The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, Dianna Ross, Stevie Wonder and Whitney Huston. Hardin is a nationally touring drummer and vocalist who has played with the legendary Norman Sylvester Blues Band and many other Pacific Northwest favorites.
Dancing is encouraged. guests should bring lawn chairs and blankets to spread out on the manicured Regatta Park hillside.
Regatta Park is located at 2700 NE 14th Street in Lincoln City. For more information go to the Juneteenth - A Freedom Celebration page on Facebook.
Event Schedule:
11 am to 11:15 am - Introduction and welcoming remarks; speaker: Fred Williams
11:15 am to 12:30 pm - Thunder & Lightness World Beat Ensemble
Noon - Free BBQ Lunch will be served until food runs out
12:30 pm to 12:45 pm - Intermission, guest speaker
12:45 pm to 2 pm - Jimi Harden’s Motown Soul Band
2 pm - Closing remarks and announcements