Published: June 04, 2007 07:31 pm            

Lots planned for Juneteenth festivities

Pageant, health forum are part of Freedom Celebration

East Cleburne Community Center will kick off its weeklong Freedom Celebration commemorating Juneteenth with its 14th annual Juneteenth Pageant at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Cleburne Civic Center.

Five contestants, Robyn Jones, Jasmine Thompson, Lauren Henager, Nyima Earl and Unique Manning, will compete in four age categories. They will present “ethnic and evening wear” with “an enchanting evening with beautiful décor” as the backdrop.

Entertainment and hors d’oeuvres will be provided, and a dance will be held. The evening culminates with the coronation ceremony.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for students. Advance tickets can be purchased through any Juneteenth contestant. Attendance at the pageant and support for each contestant raises money that enables ECCC to continue providing services to the at-risk youth.

Juneteenth is the annual celebration of when slaves in Texas learned they had been freed during the Civil War.

The week continues June 13 with the Women’s Health Forum. The forum, hosted by ECCC and Harris Methodist Walls Regional Hospital, addresses women’s health issues with a strong emphasis on women of color. It is held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the center, 810 E. Willingham. All women are invited.

A mobile mammogram unit will be on site at 9 a.m. to provide free mammograms. Appointments must be made by calling 1-888-4-HARRIS by Thursday.

Diabetes, cholesterol testing and a free hand spa will be available from 9 a.m. to noon. Fasting is required for the cholesterol test.

From noon to 1 p.m. participants can enjoy a free lunch, an hat fashion show and the keynote speaker’s address by Dr. Naomi Harman, with Cleburne OB/GYN Associates.

The 18th annual Juneteenth Parade and Festival rolls through Cleburne at 10 a.m. June 16. Parade participants will line up from 9-9:45 a.m.

The parade procession will go through downtown and end at Carver Park, where the festival will last until dusk. Entertainment includes gospel music, softball games, bingo, pony rides and a bounce house for children. Vendors will supply food.

2007 marks the 20th year that ECCC has served Cleburne. The center provides tutoring, mentoring, field trips, college preparation, free computer classes, day camps, weekly youth programs, school supply giveaways, meals and more.

Classes promote abstinence-only lifestyles, positive social goals and skills, not using illegal drugs and not participating in gang and illegal activities, and they build high self-esteem, virtues and good morals, according to a press release from the center.

For information, call 817-556-3716 or visit www.eccc1.org

        

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