Tyler Celebrates Juneteenth

TYLER — Again this year, several thousand turned out for Tyler’s Juneteenth activities. UT Health Science Center at Tyler President Dr. Kirk Calhoun was grand marshal of this year’s parade. He remarked, “To receive this kind of honor and recognition by the community leaders who are responsible for this parade — words can’t express how excited I feel about it.” June 19, 1865, marks the day Texas slaves learned of their freedom. That wasn’t lost on Calhoun, who commented, “Slavery was a tragedy in our country, and we overcame it, and we’ve become a better and stronger country because of overcoming it.”

Along with the parade, Saturday’s events included a celebration at Woldert Park and a Gospel Explosion at St. Louis Baptist Church. Juneteenth Association spokeswoman Serrena Johnson was pleased that the activities drew attendees from as far away as Houston and Dallas.