On Saturday, June 15, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger visited the Antelope Valley for the third year in a row to commemorate Juneteenth in Sun Village.
This annual event in Sun Village is one of the oldest Juneteenth celebrations in Los Angeles County. Saturday’s event was organized by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation in collaboration with the Friends of Jackie Robinson Park. Jackie Robinson Park was the first park in the U.S. to be named in honor of the esteemed first African-American player in Major League Baseball.
“Sun Village’s annual Juneteenth celebration is about highlighting the profound significance of this day,” stated Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “This Juneteenth commemoration has been a cornerstone event in the Antelope Valley for more than three decades. I am proud to be part of this important local event which honors the spirit and resilience of the African American community.”
Long before Juneteenth was named a national holiday, the residents of Sun Village were holding annual festivities and commemorating the day. Sun Village residents banded together to ensure the local community had a chance to recognize and celebrate the day’s significance.
The spirit of this year’s celebration in the park was enhanced by lively music, food, drill teams, and a captivating museum display about the history of Jackie Robinson Park and Sun Village.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, who lived in Sun Village as a girl, spoke at the event. As a gesture of appreciation, Supervisor Barger presented Mayor Cantrell with a scroll of commendation. Additionally, she recognized local leaders and longtime residents of Sun Village who served as Grand Marshals: Willie Henry, Bishop Henry Hearns, Carolyn Hicks, Mozell Hicks, Olean Kindred Cleveland, Jim Lott, Thelma Shaw, Bernice Sims, Fred Thompson, and Andrew Zenno.
Photos of Supervisor Barger at the Sun Village Juneteenth celebration are available here.