NEW KENSINGTON: Larry Rowe said he hopes to educate people about Juneteenth.
The holiday, which is observed across the country, celebrates the emancipation of slaves, an event that took place in 1865.
Rowe is one of the organizers of the annual festival which has been held at different locations throughout New Kensington and Arnold for the past eight years. This year's celebration is being held at the St. James AME Church on Constitution Boulevard. Only a handful of people showed up Friday evening, but Rowe was hoping for larger crowds today.
"I don't think people are aware of its existence, we're trying to educate them," said Rowe, who's a retired teacher.
Rowe also said he hopes to find a permanent location for the festival.
"We haven't found a home yet," he said.
Andrea Wilson, 8, of New Kensington, Ashley Kelley, 9, and Shronda Kelley, 11, both of Penn Hills, and Andr'e Samuels, 12, of New Kensington, all said they aren't sure of the history behind the celebration.
"All I know is that it's a holiday," Ashley Kelley said.
"It's about African-American History," Samuels said.
Samuels was at the festival trying to raise money for his track team, Team Unique.
Team sponsor Tonie Clemons said Rowe invited them down because it gives them an opportunity to raise money for travel costs and uniforms.
Clemons' son Toney Clemons, who's also a member of the track team, said he knows about Juneteenth because of a large celebration which is held in Pittsburgh every year.
"That should be a part of Black History Month," Tonie Clemons said of educating children about Juneteenth.
The elder Clemons said she won't be at the festival today because the track team has a meet in Butler, but there will be representatives asking for donations.
Will Varner and Willie Thrower Jr., both of New Kensington, were at the church trying to raise money to erect a statue of Willie Thrower Sr., of New Kensington, who was the first black quarterback in NFL history. Thrower Sr. passed away Feb. 20, 2002. The men are selling T-shirts which outline some of Thrower's accomplishments, drinking glasses in the shape of a football with the quote "Anything you do always be a Giant," and other memorabilia
"It makes me proud, the whole family," Thrower Jr. said of the efforts to raise money for the statue.
Thrower said his father told him many stories of his accomplishments and struggles of being the NFL's first black quarterback.
"He always told me he was ahead of his time," Thrower said.
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