Juneteenth celebration in Elyria reclaims the past for Black Lorain Countians

ELYRIA — Elyrians took to downtown to celebrate the 161st anniversary of news reaching the last enslaved Black Americans that they had been freed from the evils of slavery. The Juneteenth celebration kicked off late in the morning with a parade up Middle Avenue to Ely Square. A white horse and carriage led a procession including The Deputies Baton & Drum Corps, youth dancers, athletes, elected officials and organizers and classic cars into downtown for prayers, music, presentations, contests, food and activities on the square. The event, now in its fifth year, was organized and sponsored by Elyria Black Legacy Connection with the support and cooperation of the city of Elyria. "I want to say thank you every one of you for coming out and supporting this amazing event," Elyria City Councilman Brad Armstrong, I-5th Ward, told the gathering on Saturday. "So amazing." He said he told Elyria Black Legacy Connection founder Ethan West to stop during the parade, turn around, look behind him and "be proud, because without you we wouldn't have had this." "All this work is a beautiful thing to happen," Armstrong said. West said the horse-drawn carriage was one way to reclaim Black history: Early Juneteenth celebrations featured Black Americans dressing up in their finest and riding in carriages in parades and celebrations. It took more than two years for word to reach the last enslaved people in Texas that the Jan. 1, 1863 Emancipation Proclamation had freed the slaves in the Confederate states. Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3 in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, decaring: "The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free." Estimates are that 250,000 people were still enslaved in Texas on that day. June 19 became known as Emancipation Day, or Jubilee Day and finally as Juneteenth National Independence Day when it was made a federal holiday in 2021. Research into Black Elyrians of the past is a large part of what Elyria Black History Connection does. West on Saturday led a moment of silence for Sgt. Clinton Cramer, a Black Civil War veteran he has learned once lived in a house on Columbus Street near Ridgelawn Cemetery. An "outdoor museum" of banners and signs displayed information on Black Elyrians both past and present. Last weekend, Team Black defeated Team Red in the annual Smart Set commemorative softball game. The game honors historic amateur Black baseball teams that played in Lorain County in the early 20th century. West said he was proud that there are now three Juneteenth celebrations in Lorain County, starting with Oberlin more than 30 years ago and continuing with Lorain and Elyria in more recent years. A community celebration was planned at Lakeview Park South in Lorain on Saturday. A storm on June 14 left those who gathered for the 13th annual Juneteenth Bluesfest at the park soaked but unharmed, and the day's commemmoration continued indoors. Oberlin celebrated Juneteenth on June 12-13 this year with a parade, festival, fashion show, memorial service and Black history lessons, while Oberlin Community Services' annual Juneteenth cookout drew an estimated 400 people on Thursday. West said Elyria might have been the last of the three major cities to create a community event to celebrate the holiday, but that he was happy to be part of it. "All of us Lorain Countians should be proud that there's multiple events going on in the county, celebrating freedom for all," he said. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com