Georgetown community comes together to celebrate Juneteenth

GEORGETOWN, Del. – “Because it’s our history and we feel that we need to make sure people are aware of our history,” said the Richard Allen Coalition Chair Jane Hovington.

People in Georgetown got together on Saturday to celebrate Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery throughout the former Confederate States of America.

“It’s a celebration of freedom, looking at our history and so here we try to have fun,” said Paula Roberts, the event coordinator.

The Juneteenth celebration in Georgetown was held at the historic Richard Allen School where children from the black community grew up.

“This was a self-sufficient community and so this is history the people in the community people in this state need to know people in this county need to know,” said Hovington.

Hovington said the historic Richard Allen School is a place that was once segregated in Sussex County.

“That baseball field behind you,” said Hovington, “People in this community played baseball there every Sunday.”

The Chair of the Richard Allen Coalition said it is these kinds of stories that need be passed down to the younger generations.

“They need to have a culture to be proud of, and they need to know exactly what we’ve done for them to be where they are today,” Hovington.

“Had it not been for those people who came along prior to them their forefathers they would not have what they have today,” said Hovington.

People on Saturday said this celebration is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices that were made for their freedom.