Juneteenth 2023 Photo Gallery
Kennard’s Alumni Association kicked off summer with their “Annual Juneteenth Celebration”. This year’s event opened with a parade that started at QAC High School, proceeded down Kidwell Ave before turning onto Brown Street, leading to the Juneteenth Festival at Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center (KAACHC).
The festival opened with the playing and singing of the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice”, followed by the reading of a proclamation by the QAC Commissioners and a citation from the Governor’s Office and the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture. The opening program also recognized the creation of the new “Kennard High School’ mural at the entrance to the KAACHC and Museum. The mural was painted by a “Third Generation Kennardian”, Ms. Charlese Phillips. This was followed by the dedication of the new “Kennard African American History Library”, recognizing those responsible for funding the library’s creation.
The festival showcased over 40 vendors and information booths, including wonderful food choices. There was marvelous entertainment throughout the day, featuring gospel and African American cultural music, African drummers and dancers, African attire fashion show, and even a “Pop Up” line dance demonstration. There were games and entertainment for kids, seminars for those interested, and of course, Kennard’s African American History Museum exhibits.
Enjoy these great photos from the event by Doug Bishop!
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- Attired with a “FREEDOM” banner, the Mobile Lirary of Queen Anne’s County promoted reading of books, during the Juneteenth parade to gain knowledge which leads to true freedom and power.
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- “Mr. Juneteenth” Markeith Demby, Jr., and “Miss Juneteenth” Keilah Reed are pictured riding along the Juneteenth parade route, Saturday morning, June 10. This was the first-ever Juneteenth parade for the longstanding event held in Centreville.
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- From the left; Ellis Chandler and Mahlon Jeffers are pictured with the oldest antique cars that were in this year’s Juneteenth parade. Both Chevrolet’s, from the left; a 1956 model, then a 1957 model. There was also a 1964 Ford Galaxie car.
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- Among the Juneteenth performers, “The Singing Angels” choir. Pictured, from the left; Mariah Townsend, Trinity Lee, Soureign Brooks, Choir Director Tramaine Hines, Brooke Skinner, and Mackenzie Hines. The groups sang a number of gospel songs.
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- Local business woman Linda Austin drove her Rita’s Ice box truck in this year’s Juneteenth parade. She sold icies at the Juneteenth festival that followed the parade.
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- Dancing and in Nigerian attire of West Africa, performers of the group known as “Daande Lenol” (which translates from the Fulani languqge to “Voice of the Community”). They were among the performers at the annual Juneteenth celebration in Centreville, Saturday, June 10.
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- Six popular “POLARIS” sports cars lined the roadway as part of the Juneteenth parade, held Saturday, June 10, in Centreville. There were also a large number of antique cars in the parade.
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- This unique Mobile Baptism Trailer was part of the Juneteenth parade.
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- Leading the Juneteenth parade, Saturday morning, June 10, carrying the banner, from the left; Maia Bailey, Sanai Badden, and Amira Ames. They were followed by the fire truck from Goodwill VFD in Centreville. This was the first year the longstanding event hosted a parade.
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- Representing the spirit of joy, fun and laughter, “Egungun” (also known as “Sankofa”, meaning return to your roots) walked the Juneteenth parade route, Saturday morning, June 10. The character comes from West African culture. This portion of the Juneteenth festival had not been shared in the past years in Centreville.
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- Presenting official proclamations, Queen Anne’s County commissioners and representatives from Maryland Governor Wes Moore, from the left; QA Commissioner Patrick McLaughlin, former Commissioner and this year’s Juneteenth Grand Marshall Courtney Billups, former Kennard H.S. teacher and QACPS Board of Education President Madelyn Hollis (seated), MD Commission of African American History & Culture Elinor Thompson, Kennard Alumni Association President Clayton Washington, MD Commission of AAH&C Dion D. Banks and QA Commissioner Chris Chorchirino. Washington later thanked all the of QA commissioners who have served for the past 20-years in helping fund the renovation of the former Kennard H.S. building in turning it into the Kennard African American History & Cultural Center it is today. Washington stated, “the commissioners have provided over $600,000 in donations and grants.”
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- This huge “Mobile Prayer RV and Mobile Baptism Trailer” we part of the Juneteenth parade.
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- U.S. military veteran, and Past VFW Post 7464 Commander Martin Skinner was one of 14 male and female motorcycle riders in this year’s first-ever Juneteenth parade in Centreville, Saturday morning, June 10.
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- Former QA County Commissioner Courtney Billups is pictured riding in a convertible car, serving as Grand Marshall of the first-ever Juneteenth parade, Saturday morning, June 10, in Centreville.
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- The sign that was up for weeks ahead, promoting the Kennard Alumni Association’s “Juneteenth Celebration”, Saturday, June 10, held at the former Kennard High School building and grounds in Centreville. This year was the first time the event hosted a parade.
