‘This gives us a chance to show our talents’
Victor Thomas, Lamar Randall, Dionna Thomas at Just Kings’ food stand table.
By Mike Pettinella
For Video News Service
(Photos by Alecia Kaus)
The annual Juneteenth Freedom Day celebration coordinated by the Batavia-based Just Kings Social Club has come a long way since its start four years ago.
“I remember the first one in back of the YMCA (of Genesee County) and today’s event with so many vendors and activities just shows the growth,” said Dionna Thomas, sister of Victor Thomas, a Just Kings’ director. “It’s so great to see people in our (African American) community giving back.”
Dionna was one of a few hundred people who made their way to Williams Park in Batavia this afternoon for the free event that runs until 8 o’clock tonight.
She said she hopes area residents from all races will support Just Kings’ efforts to foster unity and togetherness.
“We’ve got to be the change we want to see,” she added.
(Submitted photos)
Victor Thomas noted that it was the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, that provided the impetus to create Just Kings. This year’s celebration was kicked off by an appearance by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
“If it wasn’t for that day, this celebration wouldn’t have happened,” he said. “Ever since, this has raised money for our back-to-school and Christmas toy drives and we hope to have the haunted house for Halloween.”
This year’s program includes 17 vendor booths – including 10 from nonprofit agencies – along with food stands, bounce houses and other youth activities, and musical entertainment.
Brandon Armstrong takes a moment to pose with Genesee County Youth Bureau employees Sara Gregori, left, and Theresa Osborn at the Juneteenth Freedom Day celebration at Williams Park Photo/Mike Pettinella
Genesee County Youth Bureau representatives gave away snow cones (until they ran out).
“It is awesome that we were asked to participate for a second year,” said Theresa Osborn, youth bureau employee. “This brings the community together and gives us an opportunity to serve our youth and to lead by example.”
Attica resident Angel Bowman said she came to the festival to support Bowman’s co-worker, children’s author Paul Gurgol, who was at a booth promoting his book, “Zero the Hero.”
She was accompanied by her uncle, Mike Szatkowski, who said he “figured there would be some good food here.”
For a second straight year, Batavian Brenda Williams set up her popular Brenda’s Sweet Treats tent featuring goodies such as cake pops, candy apples, brownies and sweet potato pies.
“What this day means to me is that it gives our culture a chance to shine and show the talents that God has blessed us with,” she said. “He gets all the glory.”
Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States that is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States. The holiday’s name is a portmanteau of the words “June” and “nineteenth”, as it was on June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the American Civil War.
Roc Hard Vette Club & Classic Cars- Will Simmons, President, Jennifer Warrick, Secretary, Al Bethel, Vice President. Back-Greg Bacon of Batavia. The club will be hosting its third annual car show form 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 27 at Genesee Valley Park (Riverbend Shelter) in Rochester.
Kim Allen – with 1976 Cadillac Eldorado that she has owned for seven years
Joe McClaney with his 2017 Corvette
