The City of Dunkirk has been recognizing Juneteenth for three decades, and the occasion continues to draw plenty of interest. On Saturday, the city kicked off its 30th annual Juneteenth celebration in Memorial Park, with live music, food, bounce houses, an ice cream-eating contest, and other activities. WDOE News spoke with Loretta Torain, chair of the Northern Chautauqua Juneteenth Committee, who talked about the origins of the city's recognition of the holiday...
Loretta Torain: how Dunkirk began celebrating Juneteenth
Juneteenth commemorates the day when the last remaining slaves in the United States learned on June 19, 1865 that they were free. In New York, Juneteenth became a paid holiday in 2020, and it gained recognition as a federal holiday in 2021. Second Ward Councilman Frank Torain says people still ask questions about what Juneteenth is all about...
Frank Torain: explaining what Juneteenth is
The Juneteenth celebration continues Sunday from 12:00-6:00 PM with activities like a church service, a Juneteenth re-enactment, and gospel music. Loretta Torain says the Juneteenth Committee is also partnering with the American Red Cross for a blood drive on Monday from 12:00-6:00 PM at the Clarion Hotel.
Click here for a full lineup of activities for the rest of the weekend.
