Juneteenth Celebration at the Richard Allen Elementary School set June 16

The Richard Allen Coalition has announces the Juneteenth Celebration at the Richard Allen Elementary School, 316 S Railroad Ave. in Georgetown, Saturday, June 16, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

What is Juneteenth? On Jan. 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln read his Emancipation Proclamation that set free the African-American slaves. However, until the Civil War ended April 9, 1865, the proclamation had not been enforced. Union soldiers came into Galveston, Texas June 19, 1865, to announce this proclamation, and it had not been heeded because there were not sufficient troops to enforce the law. Since that time, African-Americans across the United States have celebrated Juneteenth this time of year.

The Richard Allen Coalition will be celebrating Juneteenth at the Richard Allen Elementary School and in the town of Georgetown June 16. The celebration begins at the Circle in Georgetown at 10 a.m. with a parade starting at Front Street and around the Circle and down Market Street to Railroad Avenue. It then proceeds to the Richard Allen Elementary School at 316 S. Railroad Ave.. The school was built by Pierre DuPont as one of the 80 "colored schools" built in Delaware in the 1920s.

Everyone is invited to join the festivities on the grounds of the school until 4 p.m. There will be food, games, and tours of the school which is being restored and renovated.

There will be several organizations and businesses that will have tables and information available concerning their services to and for the community.