The 25th annual Juneteenth celebration in Junction City took center stage in Heritage Park on Saturday.

Participants engaged in activities ranging from gospel music to a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln. There was a Junction City proclamation signed by the mayor Pat Landes, and read by Juneteenth Coordinator Jim Sands which stated June 8th was declared Juneteenth in the City of Junction City, “and urge all citizens to become more aware of the significance of the A celebration and African-American history and in heritage of our city and nation.”

Juneteenth is celebrated in recognition of the time in 1865 in the south and southwest that the slaves first learned about the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln.

Other activities included a skit to a Juneteenth Got Talent Show. There was a car show and numerous booths and tables set up by different organizations featuring a variety of products, messages and food.