Juneteenth festivities canceled due to weather - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

By Ann Wyatt Little  - bio | email

LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) - The weather forced Lubbock Juneteenth organizers to cancel Saturday's events.     

The rain put a halt to Saturday's parade, picnic and park festivities. Organizers say they woke up and realized rain would put a damper on their plans, but not their spirits. Saturday's schedule was supposed to be the culmination of more than a week's worth of events in honor of Juneteenth -- the day slaves in Texas found out they were free. The committee canceled a parade with nearly 40 vehicles and groups registered as well as a picnic at Mae Simmons Park where they expected nearly 4,000 people.

Tonya Johnson, President of the Lubbock Juneteenth Committee says the activities aren't going to change, just the date. "It's not the location of the celebration. It's about the heritage of the celebration so wherever you celebrate it's going to be in your heart," says Johnson. The committee says they will reschedule the parade, picnic and park activities and are looking at next weekend.

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