The Township of Springfield recognized Juneneenth at a ceremony held on Sunday, June 19, 2022, at Chisholm Park. The second annual local celebration of the holiday — commemorating the emancipation of the remaining enslaved African Americans in Texas in 1865 — culminated with the raising of the Juneteenth flag above the park on a warm and windy Father’s Day afternoon. Springfield Unity Project (SUP) organized the event led by chairs Andrea Holley-Blair and Anderson Blair, and it was co-sponsored by the Township of Springfield, Springfield Recreation Department, Renaissance Church, and Antioch Baptist Church. The Blairs offered remarks throughout the program, which included an invocation by Reverend Reginald Harris of Antioch Baptist Church, spoken words by Omar Dawkins, poem by Alice Bryant, and greetings by Renaissance Church Pastors Christian Andrews, Michelle Andrews, and Vito Aiuto. Mayor Alex Keiser closed the program with a personal and historical reflection on the holiday, before he raised the flag alongside Township Committeewoman Erica DuBois. Throughout the 2-hour program, Dovev Oils sold natural oils, soaps, lotions, scrubs, salts, and body butters, and Scream Truck distributed ice cream and ice pops to the crowd. Holley-Blair commented, “Springfield’s Juneteenth celebration was in full swing for the second year in a row. The crowd was energetic and enthusiastic for the flag raising and festivities. There were spoken word artists, spiritual leaders, the Mayor, as well as Springfield’s favorite Scream Truck in attendance to entertain and provide treats. People made new friends and a good time was had by all.”Â
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