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By CHERYL DELOATCH

Correspondent

MURFREESBORO – Riverside Park near the Meherrin River in Murfreesboro was the site of the town’s second annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration on Saturday, June 18.

Even though the festival began at 11 a.m. with vendors available, the program began at 4 p.m.

“This is not just a day of remembrance, but a day of calling to action,” Murfreesboro Mayor Hal Thomas said in the welcome.

Master of Ceremonies was Brandon Vaughan, who fulfilled multiple roles by also serving as disc jockey and reading Juneteenth’s history. James “BJ” Futrell gave remarks. Futrell and Vaughan were co-chairmen for this year’s festival.

Vaughan explained that Juneteenth commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth, short for June Nineteenth, marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed.

“The original music performed (during Juneteenth) included spirituals, field hollers, and hymns, combined with prayer meetings,” Vaughan stated in a pre-program email. “Attendees wore new clothes to signify their newfound freedom. Barbecueing, other genres of music, and activities came later.”

Vaughan, a musician who will obtain his degree in December, plays the saxophone, clarinet and drums.

“I’ve been involved in music since my youth, taking piano and vocal lessons, singing solos, in church choirs and chorus,” he stated.

He has performed with such national musicians as Delfeayo Marsalis and the Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem.

Ashton Todd and Jelani Ruffin read the Juneteenth-based poem “One Soldier, One Freedom,” written by Jeffrey Parker. All observed a moment of silence while local musician Henry Britt played “Taps.”

Jackie Ruffin Pittman performed a libation ceremony honoring soldiers of the US Colored Troops. Jelani Ruffin poured water from a pitcher onto a plant while Pittman read the soldiers’ names. Pittman sang “Peace Be With Us,” explaining, “This song is often sung in ceremonies, such as libations.”

Pittman discussed architecture’s significance.

“A lot of our ancestors were from West Africa, and the architectural style of the buildings is West African,” Pittman said.

She displayed the book explaining this – The Builders and Architecture of Historic Murfreesboro, North Carolina, 1585-1865 by Alice Eley Jones.

“One plantation still exists – the Britt Phillip House, south of Murfreesboro on Highway 11,” Pittman noted.

“On July 28, 1863, Union troops came to Murfreesboro and liberated some of the slaves. They left with the troops,” Pittman stated. This data came from the book Trial Separation: Murfreesboro, North Carolina and The Civil War by Dr. Thomas C. Parramore. The Murfreesboro Historical Association sells both books.

Lillie White gave remarks and read the names of sponsors, including the Murfreesboro Police Department, Cultivator, Inc., and the Hertford County Commissioners (HCC). Murfreesboro Town Councilman Craig Dennis and HCC Commissioners John Horton and Andre M. Lassiter attended the program.

The Praise Team of Mt. Sinai Church of God in Murfreesboro sang the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and other inspirational selections.

Wreaths decorating both sides of the stage enhanced the day’s festivities. The wreath on the left held a red, black and green flag. Cultivator organizer Caroline Stephenson referred to an article published on National Public Radio’s website in June 2017 entitled, “On Flag Day, Remember The Red, Black and Green” to explain this. In part, the article states this flag was created almost a century ago to represent people of the African Diaspora. Diaspora refers to “any group that has been dispersed outside its traditional homeland… .” (dictionary.com). The wreath on the right side of the stage was the American red, white and blue flag.

Several attendees enjoyed the program.

“I thought it went very well,” Town Council member Berna Stephens said. “Attendees were very orderly, and it was a great fellowship. People who hadn’t seen each other in a long time were able to reconnect. Some felt the program was too late.”

“It went very well,” commented resident Judy Newsome Boone. “The vendors were great, the crowd and atmosphere were truly awesome. Murfreesboro represented well.”

“Juneteenth 2022 was priceless,” Murfreesboro native Carlton Stephenson, Jr. remarked. “It gave us the opportunity to come home, fellowship with family and friends, and celebrate our heritage.”

The vendors were as much a part of the Juneteenth festival as the program was. Some vendors donated products, provided information about their programs or services, and others sold items.

Among the vendors donating products and providing information were Vidant-ECU Health community health workers.

“We did a lot with COVID, such as giving away cleaning supplies,” explained Alice Anderson. Anderson and her colleagues brought items to promote cleanliness.

Roanoke-Chowan Community Health Center’s Mobile Clinic is relatively new and serves Hertford, Northampton, Gates, Bertie and Washington counties.

“We partner with programs like Juneteenth, festivals, gospel programs, outreach, and provide care to migrant workers, thank you events, and church events,” said Sherita Vaughan, Mobile Health Services Practice Manager. “We serve (people in) public housing, too. We offer community resources like food pantries, transportation, utilities, and behavioral health. Other services include health screenings, STI/HIV screenings, flu, and strep throat testing.”

For more information about the Mobile Clinic, call (252)332-3548 extension 7050.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is based in Norfolk, Virginia but comes to residents’ homes in Hertford, Bertie, Northampton, Gates and Halifax counties. Olivia Rasquiza represented PETA at the Juneteenth festival.

“People can call if they need us,” she said.

Their toll-free phone number is 1-800-566-9768.

Other vendors providing information and services were Murfreesboro Raiders Youth Football Team, Roanoke-Chowan Community College, and NC Medicaid Managed Care.

Cultivator, Inc. provides free books.

“We’ve been providing free, unlimited Wifi to Riverside Park since September 2021,” Caroline Stephenson said. “It is grant-funded.”

Vendors selling items were present, too, including T. Edmonds Eyewear, Freda’s Place, A Different Taste, Kedra’s $5 Accessory Shop, and Gracie’s Grille.