Aiken residents came together on Saturday to mark the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth, a day to celebrate freedom, but also unity.
People of all ages crowded in Perry Park, snacking on flavored snow cones, cooling off on the giant blowup water slide and taking in the entertainment by groups such as Daughters of Royalty out of Savannah, Georgia.
Juneteenth celebrations traditionally fall on June 19, marking the day in 1865 when Union soldiers stopped in Galveston, Texas, with news that the war had ended and all slaves were now free.
"That day and going forward began the celebration of freedom," said Jo-Anne Saunders, the executive director of the Center for African American History, Arts and Culture.
Throughout the United States, thousands come together to remember that day in 1865 by acknowledging, celebrating and honoring African history and heritage.
"As the Center for African American History, Arts and Culture we have a job to educate, not only about accomplishments of African Americans, but also achievements by African-Americans. This is our signature event," Saunders said.
But although the day was about celebration, a moment of prayer was taken and thoughts were shared about recent tragedies making waves out of Charleston.
On Wednesday, 21-year-old Dylann Roof walked into the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown Charleston, took part in a prayer meeting, then opened fire.
Nine people died that night, including the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, a state senator and also the church's lead pastor, and eight others who served their communities and families as coaches, librarians, teachers, choir singers and grandmothers.
"With everything that's going on in Charleston, it really resonates right now," Saunders said. "This now isn't just our holiday, it's now a celebration of freedom and unity. We think that, now, it means so much more this year, and we're so glad people came out to celebrate."
Resident and local quilter Jackie Miller Hill participated in the celebrations sharing her quilts, which illustrate the days of slavery up to the 2008 presidential election of President Barack Obama.
"I started with a quilt I made with the Statue of Liberty, and I made it because this was about America, but then I moved to the South and I realized that while this was a dream for many people, it's not the actual experience of many of our citizens," Hill said. "So I took it upon myself to answer this, because I wanted to make a quilt, a God Bless America quilt, for everyone."
Looking out into the crowd of people huddled under the shade in Perry Park, Saunders said she was overjoyed to so see so many young children.
BJ Redding, 13, and younger sister Sylvia, 9, have been to Juneteenth celebrations before. Both agreed the most important part of the day was celebrating their history, but also acknowledging other cultures.
"They are the next generation," Saunders said. "So we understand that not too many people know about Juneteenth, which is why we intentionally targeted youth groups this year. We want them to understand their history and be able to carry on the legacy."
For more information about Juneteenth, visit www.juneteenth.com.
For more information about the Center for African American History, Art and Culture, visit www.aikenculturalcenter.org or call 706-664-3989.
Maayan Schechter is the local government reporter with Aiken Standard.
Follow her on Twitter @MaayanSchechter.