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June 19 -- Santa Monica will mark the day 143 years ago when slaves learned they were free with the "16th Annual Juneteenth Celebration" at Virginia Avenue Park Saturday.

The event, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., commemorates the day in 1865 when slaves on Galveston Island, Texas received news of their freedom through the Emancipation Proclamation.

Since Texas proclaimed it an official state holiday in 1980, Juneteenth has spread to 13 other states, including California, where festivities, including the one in Santa Monica, celebrate freedom, dignity and community pride.

This year’s event will feature performances by the Marching Thunder Drumline, Chiquita Tolten (blues, gospel), Driving Words (LA’s top ambient band), Deborah Rogokos (rhythm and blues vocalist) and Annie McKnight (comedian and TV personality).

Tap dancer Thomas Scott, who will perform at a pre-Olympics ceremony in Beijing in July, will be on stage. Other performances include jazz, flamenco and break-dancers and spoken word.

The Master of Ceremonies for the event will be Clarence Chazz Ross.

The keynote presenter will be Robin Petgrave, Executive Director of Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum and there will be special appearances by members of the Tuskegee Airmen from World War II, and a historical exhibit room, including the African American Odyssey display with Buffalo Soldiers.

Vendors will feature Memphis style BBQ, hush puppies, watermelon and other delectable treats as well as booths offering ethnic clothing, jewelry and arts.

Juneteenth offers a comfortable, fun and relaxing family experience. Children can join the art station or play organized games. The park’s water play area for children will be open. All performances and activities are free; the food is reasonably priced.

Virginia Avenue Park is located on the northwest corner of Pico and Cloverfield in Santa Monica. Visitors and neighbors are encouraged to walk, bicycle or park for free at Santa Monica College Structure C at the corner of Pico Blvd. and 17th Street.

A Big Blue Bus will shuttle attendees from Santa Monica College at Pico and 16th to the park. For disability-related accommodation requests, or to request this information in an alternate format, please call (310) 458-8688 or TTY: (310) 458-8696 by June 8, 2007.