(Photo Courtesy Everybody Counts Manhattan)
On Saturday many area residents and local organizations took part in the Juneteenth celebration. A parade traveled down Poyntz Avenue Saturday morning followed by a festival that lasted well into Saturday afternoon in City Park.
Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery in the U.S. state of Texas in June 1865, and more generally the emancipation of African-American slaves throughout the Confederate South. Celebrated on June 19, Juneteenth is recognized as a state holiday or special day of observance in most states.