On Saturday, the City of Houston and Missouri City hosted Juneteenth celebrations.
Both held parades complete with marching bands, dancing teams, and floats.
"I wanted to come to honor my ancestors who were slaves. Who wanted to be free and could not; until they were ordered by Union soldiers who said free them or else," said Judge Willie Blackmon.
This week commemorates the end of slavery in Texas back 1865, despite President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation two years prior.
This year marks the 144 years since that day in Galveston. Since then, the African American community along with Texans has marked June 19th as Freedom Day. It's a chance for the older generations to remind the next of the changes that have taken in that time.
"That's great to see young people out here because then the tradition will be carried on as we pass our tradition on orally to our children," said Terry Wiley.
Other parade goers agreed. Ruben Perez brought his young son to watch the festivities.
"It's something that is important because it is about our history," said Perez.
Blackmon, Wiley and Perez watched the parade in Houston. But the largest gathering for Juneteenth festivities took place in Missouri City.
A parade through the Hunters Glenn neighborhood delighted children and their parents. The parade came to an end at the park where the crowds gathered. At the park was plenty of fun for the kids, food and music.
"We've been line dancing, grooving to the music, stepping - everything, " said Vashon Reynolds. "It's pretty cool it has been pretty nice."
Patricia Clark also came out with her family despite a recent knee surgery.
"Oh! I'm having a lot of fun. I walked out here. So it's just exciting and the groups are really wonderful," said Clark.
She could not get up and dance to the beat, but it didn't keep her from grooving in her seat.
Both held parades complete with marching bands, dancing teams, and floats.
"I wanted to come to honor my ancestors who were slaves. Who wanted to be free and could not; until they were ordered by Union soldiers who said free them or else," said Judge Willie Blackmon.
This week commemorates the end of slavery in Texas back 1865, despite President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation two years prior.
This year marks the 144 years since that day in Galveston. Since then, the African American community along with Texans has marked June 19th as Freedom Day. It's a chance for the older generations to remind the next of the changes that have taken in that time.
"That's great to see young people out here because then the tradition will be carried on as we pass our tradition on orally to our children," said Terry Wiley.
Other parade goers agreed. Ruben Perez brought his young son to watch the festivities.
"It's something that is important because it is about our history," said Perez.
Blackmon, Wiley and Perez watched the parade in Houston. But the largest gathering for Juneteenth festivities took place in Missouri City.
A parade through the Hunters Glenn neighborhood delighted children and their parents. The parade came to an end at the park where the crowds gathered. At the park was plenty of fun for the kids, food and music.
"We've been line dancing, grooving to the music, stepping - everything, " said Vashon Reynolds. "It's pretty cool it has been pretty nice."
Patricia Clark also came out with her family despite a recent knee surgery.
"Oh! I'm having a lot of fun. I walked out here. So it's just exciting and the groups are really wonderful," said Clark.
She could not get up and dance to the beat, but it didn't keep her from grooving in her seat.
