VALDOSTA — If they won’t teach Juneteenth in the history books, the people of Valdosta will bring it to the streets.

That is exactly what happened Saturday when the Southside Library Boosters, Inc. held the 26th Annual Juneteenth on the Lowndes County Courthouse front lawn.

Juneteenth, which actually takes place June 19, commemorates the 1865 independence of Texas slaves and more generally the emancipation of African slaves in the South.

This independence came two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation abolishing slavery. 

“This is an event that keeps the history alive and to let people know what Juneteenth was about,” said Sandra Tooley, Valdosta City Council member. “We want our people to keep the heritage and knowledge alive so people can know what all happened and they can be proud of who they are.”

Valdosta commemorates Juneteenth with several vendors, from food to clothing to informational booths, and entertainment that ranges from singers to steppers.

Beverley Richardson-Blake said the booster club tries keeping the event as an educational source because of its library roots.

The Southside Library even hands out free children’s books during the event.

It remains educational because many people in the community don’t even know what Juneteenth is, Richardson-Blake said.

“This is a holiday that isn’t in the history books, but it is a date that happened, so it’s important that everyone knows about it,” Richardson-Blake said.

There were even multiple booths out at Juneteenth to help people register to vote, such as the Board of Elections office and the Lowndes County Democrats.

Juneteenth is the celebration of freedom, said Kathy James, McMullen Southside Library manager, and there is nothing more freeing than the ability to vote.

“We have a lot of people that don’t even vote, and we want to encourage them how important it is to vote,” James said. “You have that right and that freedom — that’s why we’re celebrating Juneteenth, so get out and vote.”

Katelyn Umholtz is a reporter with the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256.