JUNETEENTH JAZZ & ARTS FESTIVAL MOVES TO DOWNTOWN POMONA

Pomona, CA – The upcoming 22nd Annual Pomona Valley Family Juneteenth Jazz & Arts Festival in Pomona, moves from its home for over 15 years in Ganesha Park to the Thomas Plaza in Downtown Pomona’s Arts Colony. The annual festival will continue its tradition of live jazz entertainment, cultural marketplace and activities on Saturday, June 18th, 2011 from 10:00AM-6:00PM, with admission Free and Open to the Public. This event celebrates the California Juneteenth National Freedom Day Observance acknowledged every third Saturday in June.

The move also includes the relocation of the California Juneteenth National Freedom Day Observance Monument to the plaza, which will be acknowledged by ceremonies to kick off the event with a special guest speakers and performances. The live entertainment and jazz festival includes performances by Dr. James Benson & the Gow Dow, Kamasi Washington & The Next Step, The Breeze, Inland Conservatory of the Performing Arts Dance Ensemble with Executive Producer Marcus Coleman, and more to be announced. The Juneteenth Cultural Marketplace will have a Community Health Fair feature from 11AM-3PM including participants with free On-Site HIV Testing, Bone Marrow Registration, African-American Infant Mortality & SIDS Education and more.

“We’re looking forward to returning to the original location for the Juneteenth in the budding Downtown Pomona community,” says Founder/CEO of Juneteenth America, Inc. John H. Thompson, Sr. “It will be great seeing Juneteenth expand and evolve with the special event and nightlife opportunities that Downtown Pomona has to offer for those who have joined us at the park and for those who have yet to experience the Pomona Juneteenth.” The 22nd Annual Pomona Valley Family Juneteenth Jazz & Arts Festival is sponsored by the Downtown Pomona Owners Association, Verizon, Ontario Volvo, Ontario Volkswagen, and Southern California Edison.

Juneteenth or June 19th, 1865 is a celebration tradition that acknowledges the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. It is currently recognized as a holiday or observance in over 39 states in the country, leading its way into a National Holiday through efforts sponsored by the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation. Juneteenth America, Inc. is the sponsor for the California State Juneteenth National Freedom Day Observance.

Sponsorship, Vendor and advertisement opportunities are available for this event. For more information, please call (909) 621-9707, e-mail jai@juneteenthamerica.us or visit www.juneteenthamerica.us.

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