Port Lavaca Juneteenth 2025

Despite rainy weather, crowds packed Bayfront Peninsula Park June 13-15 for Port Lavaca’s annual Juneteenth celebration. Alongside free food, games and live music, members of the community listened to presentations and speeches highlighting African American contributions and culture.

The federally recognized holiday commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. following their liberation by the union army. Since then, it has become a fixture in communities across the country, said Juneteenth organizer TonyTaft. “This year’s event was truly phenomenal. We had so many people here, and it was the best one yet,” Taft said. Alongside performances
by the Shawn Allen Band, DJ A-WALL, Sugaree & Coldsweat and Lyndsey Smith & Power
house, the event also featured presentations by Port Lavaca Mayor Jack Whitlow, local his historian, Irene Thompson-Etheridge and Cedar Valley College, President Dr. Jennifer Wimbish
on the impact that African Americans had on the U.S. as well as the need for community organization. Thompson-Etheridge also announced the creation of a Black history trail in Port Lavaca, marking significant sites of African American history in the area such as the first black grocery store.

“I wanted to let us know that we cannot do this alone. We’ve got to come together as a people. No matter how much they try and tear us down, it’s not going to work. We’ve got everybody together for good,” Thompson-Etheridge said. “What are just a few things? The traffic light that was invented by Derrick Morgan. That red, yellow and green stop sign was invented by him,
and due to so many accidents he saw, he added the yellow light for a grace period. He
also invented the gasmask.”

As the primary guest speaker, and as a native of Port Lavaca, Wimbish reiterated the importance of organization as a community and the necessity of bringing in all those impacted.“Do you know where the gap is in Port Lavaca? Is it in healthcare? Is it in economics? Is it in education? Is it in civil and social engagement? You better know who voted and who didn’t. You can
come up with a plan,” Wimbish said. “You better have a plan, and if you are in the Rotary or an organization, you better talk to the community and you better have a plan.” Several of those attending the festival spoke positively about both the speeches and performances and said that they were eager to attend next year’s event as well. “It was wonderful to see the old school people gathering and to see the new visitors and the group put on a very good show for
us,” visitor Linda Callis said. “When I think of Juneteenth, I think of the hard work my parents did to get us to this point. They went through a lot to get us to this day, so we’ve just got to keep
carrying it out.” “We’re really proud of the folks here. This is a reunion,” visitor
Winfred Leonard said. “Port Lavaca folks, we may be different, but we’re all one as far as family. No matter what your background is, we all love each other.” “I think it is good for us to always come together and keep a perspective on where the African American came from, espe
cially for our children and our grandchildren. They need to know about the hardships that they had to endure and the progress that they’ve made and the opportunity that is there in the fu
ture,” visitor Slyvester Thomas said. “Being able to come home and recognize our culture is always wonderful.”

To follow the event page and learn more about next year’s celebration, visit facebook.com/PortLavacaJuneteenth