SeeMyChild hosts sixth annual Juneteenth celebration in Rocklin
Placer County nonprofit seeMYchild will host its sixth annual Juneteenth celebration Saturday in Rocklin.
The free event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Johnson Springview Park, 5480 Fifth St.
This year’s theme, “We Are the Beloved Community,” draws inspiration from the vision of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., according to SeeMyChild founder Twiana Armstrong.
“We continue Dr. King’s legacy of developing the beloved community to eradicate racism, poverty and militarism,” Armstrong said. “The call to action is, ‘We will build it together.’”
Armstrong said the message was especially relevant in today’s climate.
“Given today’s environment, now more than ever, hope is foundational to realize the beloved community,” she said. “We must see ourselves as that community in which everyone belongs. We are the beloved community. We will build it together.”
The event will feature a sweet potato pie contest, with local bakers invited to submit their best recipes.
The Opal Lee Perseverance Quilt Project also will return. The project honors Opal Lee, widely known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” for her decades-long advocacy for making Juneteenth a national holiday.
In 2016, at age 89, Lee drew national attention by organizing a 1,400-mile walk from her home in Texas to Washington, D.C. Organizers will collect quilt squares in her honor during Saturday’s event.
Entertainment will include performances by DJ Madsticks, Fenix Drum and Dance, and steel drummer Martin Ross.
Food and refreshments will be provided by the Roseville Lions.
Sponsors include author Jen Bartron, the Roseville Lions and the Placer Community Foundation.
