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This coming Monday is the third federal observation of the Juneteenth holiday, but the Winchester Black History and Heritage Committee has invited the community to celebrate early.

The committee’s Juneteenth celebration is Saturday and will last from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Winchester’s Heritage Park – which is located on West Washington Street.

Juneteenth is a day commemorating the anniversary of the order issued by Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, proclaiming freedom for enslaved Black people in Texas. It is often called Black Independence Day.

And making it a day to remember is just what the committee wants.

“This year, our theme is educating and empowering, and that goes along with the national theme this year for the Juneteenth celebration,” said committee member Narcissus Burnam.

At 12:30 p.m., the celebration’s featured speaker, the Reverend Dr. James Thurman, will address those gathered at the park.

A 2020 article by Lexington TV station WTVQ describes Thurman as “a man of many passions, he is a preacher, teacher, author, lecturer and an Army veteran, with a PhD in biblical studies, EdD in education, masters of biblical studies, masters in business techniques and a bachelors in sociology and psychology.”

Music will be provided by Mario Webb & the New Covenant Mass Choir. According to the band’s website, it was founded in 2011 and “has traveled throughout Kentucky and other states to minister in song.”

The celebration will have plenty of activities for local youth to enjoy.

“This year, we are going to have more things for the kids,” Burnam said. “We are going to have bouncy houses and a face painter.”

The family resource center staff from Clark County Public Schools will provide a craft activity for youngsters to enjoy.

The celebration will also feature food, a live DJ and various vendors.

Burnam and the committee hope to see a tremendous turnout.

“We are wanting to celebrate Independence Day in another way and to let people know that the Winchester Black History and Heritage Committee is still busy doing work, wanting people to know their history and where they come from,” Burnam said.

For more information about the committee and its work visit www.winchesterblackhistoryandheritagecommittee.org.

The print version of this story in Friday’s edition of the Sun mistakenly stated Monday was to be the second federal observation of the Juneteenth.