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June 14, 2012

Juneteenth celebration includes special lawnmower race

Joshua Kellogg The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Excitement is one way to describe how Larry Culberson feels about this weekend’s Juneteenth celebration set for Douglass Park.

As vice president of the Stephens County Black Historical Society, he enjoys the opportunity for the community to come together and have fun while honoring the historical significance of the day.

“The main thing is everyone to come out and enjoy themselves,” Culberson said.

Culberson said music and activities will starts around 10:30 a.m. with food being served about 11 a.m.

Instead of offering free hot dogs like the society attempted during last year’s festivities, the organizers are returning to selling food like ribs, hot dogs, hot links and more as they have done in years past.

“Last year, Bar-S helped us out but we have received no word from them,” Culberson said.

The society tries to keep the celebration on the closest Saturday to June 19, the official day of the Juneteenth celebration. It honors the Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, when the announcement of the abolition of slavery was made in the state of Texas in 1865 and is a state holiday in 37 states, including Oklahoma.

In addition to offering a dunk tank, moonwalk and other activities for the youth, this year’s lawnmower races will take on a special meaning.

Culberson intends to honor the memory of Willie Taylor, who founded the lawnmower races for the Juneteenth celebration.

“If anyone has a (riding) lawnmower, they can bring it out and we’ll have a memorial lap in his honor,” Culberson said. “They don’t have to ride it, if they don’t want to.”

During the event, donations will be accepted to help fund the scholarships the society awards to students for their academic performance.

“There isn’t many of us and we won’t let it die,” Culberson said. “We will do what we need to do.”

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