Rep. Rochester visits a Sussex County Juneteenth celebration

SEAFORD, Del. – As communities gather today to to celebrate the national holiday Juneteenth, organizers in Seaford say this year it means more.

Each year, organizers tell me they focus on educating those who are unaware of the holiday. They say the emancipation of slavery is like their Independence Day.

United States congresswoman, Lisa Blunt Rochester was on hand for the event. Between dances, history lessons, poetry readings and music, they tell 47 ABC they hope to continue this tradition and continue educating community members. “It’s great that it is celebrated, it’s great that we could come together in peace and harmony and unity to just celebrate a day of being free,” says one of the event organizers, Tyleena Purnell. she adds, “Now it’s my job and my friends job around me, it’s our job to do the duty of ensuring our youth are educated on Juneteenth as well.”

Event organizers say they still have many events in the works to continue educating the community and promoting positivity, unity and togetherness in the youth, as they are the future generation.