Celebrating President Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation of Proclamation, which led to the ratification of Amendments 13 (1865) and 14 (1868) of our Constitution, JUNETEENTH OHIO (www.juneteenthohio.net) is a free weekend of cultural discovery June 17^th, 18^th and 19^th. Everyone is invited to make the unity walk on Saturday morning which kicks off at Franklin Park.* During this weekend children can take a journey on the Underground Railroad and also learn about their cultural history as actors tell the stories of blacks in the civil war era including the Buffalo Soldiers, Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglas. Puffin Foundation West’s grant will be used to bring this part of our history to life. There will also be a health pavilion, jazz in the park, a cultural market place and soul food!

JUNETEENTH OHO will promote unity, self-esteem and an enlightening experience and appreciation for Culture and African American History.

*Did you know that that runaways slaves joining the Union Army to fight for their freedom were trained on the grounds of Franklin Park and that Columbus, Ohio became the first established training grounds for black Union soldiers.