COLUMBUS, Ind. — In 2018, a Juneteenth celebration along Fourth Street in downtown Columbus drew an estimated 100 people over the span of an afternoon. The following year, when heavy rain hit throughout the day and planned partnerships for the event faltered, it may have drawn even fewer, according to organizers.
“I definitely was disappointed,” said Olisa Humes, then-president and current vice-president of the Columbus/Bartholomew County Area chapter of the NAACP.
Black leaders such as Humes and others hope that a new alignment with a partial Ethnic Expo atmosphere Saturday via the Columbus Area Visitors Center will bring crowds to the event from 2 to 9 p.m. Entertainment, food and educational elements will help celebrate the 150th anniversary of Texas releasing its slaves and the official end of slavery in the United States.
The gathering teamed with Expo is one of four Ethnic Expo Event Series gatherings planned through fall to celebrate culture and diversity with safer crowds than the throngs normally bunched together especially on Expo’s opening night. A 2020 Juneteenth event was limited to a brief rally protesting the deaths of defenseless Blacks killed by police and others.
This year, Humes likes the idea of the city’s involvement, and believes it will help the cause.
“I always try to be optimistic,” Humes said. “I always try to focus on the positive.”
For the complete story, see Wednesday’s Republic.
