Pinebluff’s Cardinal Park hosted a Juneteenth celebration on June 19 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with approximately 100 participants. Prestigious speakers, artists and community members contributed to the event. Music and the scent of chicken on charcoal grills filtered through the park and into the parking lot, escorting visitors as they toured the vendor tents.
Moore County NAACP President O’Linda Watkins McSurely spoke to a crowd of about 30 on the subjects of voting and gun violence awareness.
Moore County NAACP President O’Linda Watkins McSurely speaks to Juneteenth participants June 19 at Cardinal Park in Pinebluff.
Linda White is the vice president of the Moore County NAACP, and she said the Juneteenth celebration means freedom. “Freedom from slavery,” Joyce Chalmers said about what Juneteenth means to her. Chalmers is the treasurer of the Moore County NAACP.
Juneteenth celebrations date back to 1865 to honor the emancipation of enslaved people.
The Cardinal Park Juneteenth celebration was funded by a grant from Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Speakers and presenters included the former North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Cheri Beasley, the owner of Cardinal Park, Mitch Capel, Pastor Henry Braddy, Devonte Watkins, a legislative assistant, Thomas Gibson, a recording artist, Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party Dr. Bobbi Richardson, performance artist Shanti B, Cynthia Fairley of The Fashionista models, Rev. Paul Murphy, speaker Linda Goins, performance artist Daria Harris, and co-founders of New Rural Project Helen Probst Mills and Cynthia Wallace.
Another contributor of time and talent was the President of the North Carolina Rangers Saddle Club Kenneth Mayhue. He presented his horses, and people had their photos taken with the horses.
Juneteenth staff had their photo taken with Kenneth Mayhue’s Tennessee walking horse.
A community centered on giving included food donations. Ed and Joanne Whitley reserved a picnic shelter in the rear of the park and grilled food to give away to participants. Whitley said his family enjoys giving back to the community.
A quilt raffle to raise funds for a kidney transplant for Marie Baker was operated by her family.
The raffle winner will be announced on Aug. 21. To purchase a raffle ticket, call (910) 703-6300.
Marie Baker’s family hosts a vendor tent to raise funds for her kidney transplant.
The Cardinal Park Juneteenth celebration was one of many events hosted in the historic park originally created in 1962 by Capel’s parents as a labor of love for underprivileged kids. The park has been used for weddings, reunions and family gatherings.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday on Thursday.
People cooled off during the hot day.
Wood Heirlooms artist Larry Ross shows off his creations.
Feature photo: Vice President of the Moore County NAACP Linda White and Moore County NAACP TreasurerJoyce Chalmers said about what Juneteenth means to her. Chalmers is the treasurer.
~Article, photos, and videos by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Stephanie M. Sellers.
