Community members are getting ready to celebrate Juneteenth, an annual event which commemorates the ending of slavery in the U.S.
Hosted by the African American Network of Kern County, the event is free for the public to attend. There will be food, fun and a presentation by the Buffalo Soldiers for the whole family to enjoy.
Dee Slade, the executive director of the African American Network of Kern, said the event is a way for community members to have a better understanding of the history behind Juneteenth.
“Seventy-three different ethnic groups reside in this county,” Slade said. “We need to start getting to know these groups. We need to know what happened with these cultures, their history, their struggles, their wars and their wins and losses.”
“Knowing that opens the door for dialogue and understanding,” she said.
The free event kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday at 1020 E. California Ave.