Juneteenth Celebration Draws Hundreds To Whistlestop Park in Downtown Redding

What a large and festive gathering it was in downtown Redding, with many dozens of people at Whistlestop Park to recognize Juneteenth. From 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026, Juneteenth celebrants were treated to a “prescription of fun,” such as live performances of on-stage talent, DJ dance music, a comedy show, face painting, zone grab, motivational speakers, loads of information from non-profits, food trucks, and fellowship.  As described by Eddie McAllister and Jodeah Wilson, of the Shasta County Beloved Community (SCBC) and the African American Coalition for Community, Health, Education, and Empowerment (SCOACHE), respectively, the event successfully brought the community together.

Besides the SCOACHE and the SCBC, other non profits who lent a hand were: Shasta County Office of Education, Shasta County Maternal Child and Adolescent Health, Shasta Community Health Center, Shasta County Anti Racism Task Force, Shasta County Democratic Socialists of America, Shasta County Citizens Advocating Respect (SCAAR), Viva Downtown, City of Redding, Women’s Health Specialists, Main Street America, Main Street California, Shasta College Foundation and the Redding Cultural District.

Also, according to Wilson and McAllister, Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavey.  It was on June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with federal troops and announced General Order No 3, which declared that all enslaved people in Texas were free.  This aforementioned order came after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863. 

Also, Juneteenth is officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day and was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021.  For more information, call 530-524-7504 or email:  thebelovedcommunity@yahoo.com