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published: Sunday, June 14, 2009

Juneteenth brings cultures together

By ED BALDRIDGE

ed.baldridge@newssun.com

SEBRING -- Those wishing to experience multi-cultural family fun will get their chance on June 20, when the Florida Sportsmen Association and the New Washington heights Concerned Citizens, Inc. present the 10th annual Juneteenth Music Festival.

Held yearly on Lemon Avenue in Sebring, according to organizer Robert Saffold, the event is an attempt to inform and bring the community together.

"We have over 28 nations represented in our high school, and the event helps to let people get to know each other a little better," Saffold said.

Juneteenth brings food from all over the world to downtown Sebring including Jamaican, Haitian, and Chinese dishes, and it is free for vendors to set-up for the day, Saffold said.

Running from 8:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m., the event promises lots of games for the smaller children, and music and dancing for the older crowds.

Additionally, according to Saffold, the event is designed to help get information out to the those who need it for everything from diabetes prevention to housing applications.

"Over the years, we noticed that some folks needed help understanding some of the paperwork and health care issues out there. So we allow county and municipalities government, as well as any health care agencies, to participate and provide assistance and information.

This year, the event is also designed to show off the improvements made in the Washington Heights area.

"There has been a lot of renovations along Lemon Avenue, and the Washington Heights group was a big part of that process. We just want to give people a chance to see that you can improve your neighborhood if you work together," Saffold said.

The event last year had 30 vendors from all over the county, providing everything from food, to clothes, to information, and Saffold stated that more than 1,000 people were in attendance until the rain started.

"The weather cut us short last year, but if we hold off the rain this year, we should see a bigger crowd as the day goes along," Saffold said.

Those wishing more information, or to pick up a vendor application, should contact Saffold at 381-5166.