Juneteenth celebrations return to Oxford

Oxford residents celebrated Juneteenth last weekend, June 18-20, with a multi-day series of events, including music in the Uptown parks on Thursday, a recognition banquet on Friday and a community cookout on Saturday. 

The banquet was held at the Oxford Presbyterian Church Seminary Building at 104 E. Church St., starting at 7 p.m. Pastors Vanessa Cummings and Beverly Simmons were the guests of honor.

Juiquetta “Kiki the Barber” Harmon was the keynote speaker, and speeches were also given by Craig Powell, executive coordinator of The PowerNet Group of Tampa, Florida, and Brian Revere, the event’s organizer. Middletown musician John Burg sang and played piano throughout the evening. 

Saturday’s community cookout was held in Oxford’s Uptown Park. It included free food, kids’ activities, live music and booths from the League of Women Voters and Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services.