Mayo Clinic joins celebration as presenting sponsor
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
Scottsdale Stadium is playing host to an expanded Juneteenth celebration from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 19, where everyone is invited to the event that features music, entertainment, games and education in and outdoors.
Scottsdale Stadium is at 7408 E. Osborn Road in the heart of Scottsdale. The event is sponsored by the Mayo Clinic, city officials report.
June 19 of each year is known as Juneteenth, which commemorates the abolition of slavery — more specifically the emancipation of enslaved people in Texas, who did not receive the news until two years after abolition, according to Jackie Johnson, Scottsdale diversity program director.
City officials report Juneteenth is believed to be the oldest African American holiday, with annual celebrations in different parts of the country dating back to 1866.
“Commemorating Juneteenth is an important community event where we can gather in fellowship and celebration, and also an opportunity to learn and have honest conversations about our country’s history with racial injustice,” said Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega in a news release.
Scottsdale City Council last April adopted and approved an amendment to Scottsdale Revised Code — Section 14-81, Holidays — establishing June 19th as one of Scottsdale’s designated city holidays.
Event highlights on Sunday, June 19, include:
- Live entertainment including Lift Every Voice and Sing, Pretty Precise Step Team, Kawambe-Omowale African Drum and Dance Theatre.
- Outdoor activities and games.
- Health and wellness presentations.
- Exhibitor and vendor tables: city departments, small businesses.
- Miss Arizona Juneteenth.
- Southern cuisine for purchase.
Additionally, Mayo Clinic has partnered with the Coalition of Blacks Against Breast Cancer to facilitate a presentation about breast and prostate cancer. The presentation is from 3-4 p.m. in the Scottsdale Stadium Banyan Room.
City officials say this year’s expanded Scottsdale Juneteenth celebration is possible through the support of sponsors including the presenting sponsor, Mayo Clinic, and HonorHealth, Old Town Scottsdale, Change the Lead, Scottsdale Stadium, the Scottsdale Fire Fighters Association and Scottsdale Arts.
