Juneteenth event in Steubenville

STEUBENVILLE — Second Baptist Church, located at 717 Adams St. in Steubenville, through the cooperation of the city of Steubenville and area businesses, will host this year’s Juneteenth Festival.

The event has taken place since 2016, according to organizers, who added Second Baptist Church was the first to host the festival in Steubenville.

Now in its ninth year, the celebration will begin at noon on Thursday, as a parade will kick off the festival.

The parade will begin at Historic Fort Steuben on Third Street. It will continue to walk up Market Street, head south on Seventh Street and end on South Eighth Street behind the church.

Following the parade, an opening ceremony will be held.

The event will include a flag raising ceremony and presentations by area residents.

Anyone wishing to participate in the parade can do so, officials noted, adding participants should arrive at the fort by 10:30 a.m.

There will be food and craft vendors, informatio n booths, Kim’s Famous Fish, bouncy houses, music, a large dunk tank where visitors will have an opportunity to dunk a pastor, among other activities. A foam machine will be on site Friday and Saturday.

Organizers explained that on June 19, 1865, slaves in Texas learned they were “free,” despite the Emancipation Proclamation occurring two years earlier.

In honor of Juneteenth, the Second Baptist Church will “welcome everyone, regardless of race, color or creed, to join in having a good time in a good, clean, family-oriented environment.”

Richmond museum to hold open house

RICHMOND – Sunday brings a continuance of a series of open houses happening this summer at the Crew House Museum, located at 34 W. Main St. in Richmond.

Hosted by the Richmond Community Historical Society, the open house will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Admission will be free, but donations are appreciated. Visitors can browse at their leisure and direct any questions to historical society members on hand.

Other Sunday open houses are set from noon to 4 p.m. on July 13, July 27, Aug. 10 and Aug. 24.

Today’s museum once served as the home of the Crew family, who possessed the building for 146 years, according to the society. Next year will mark its 200th anniversary.

The museum features a variety of town memorabilia and includes a second floor dedicated to items from Jefferson Union High School. These items are of special interest to the former high school’s classes gaining access as part of an upcoming reunion.

The historical society is marking its 50th anniversary, having been chartered Jan. 20, 1975. Its theme, “50 Years of History in our Community,” was selected for Richmond’s Memorial Day parade, which is organized by the historical society.

The historical society also hosts its annual Quaker Day celebration fundraiser, to be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 27 in the area of the Crew House Museum. The event will feature food, live entertainment and vendors.

Historical society officers include John Jones, president; Marge Andres, vice president; Sandy Judy, secretary; and Wendy Byers, treasurer.

The group’s next meeting will take place at 7 p.m July 22 at the Crew House Museum. Anyone is welcome to attend or become a member. Annual dues are $5. A lifetime membership costs $50. Richmond pottery will be available for purchase, including crocks for $25 and mugs for $12.

For information, call Judy at (740) 765-4534 or visit crewhouse.weebly.com.

Summer Bash Carnival planned

RICHMOND — People of all ages and abilities are invited to help celebrate the fourth-annual Special Connections Summer Bash Carnival, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 12 at the Crossroads Ministry Center, located at 200 Kragel Road in Richmond.

Special Connections includes the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Special Needs Parents of the Ohio Valley Support Group Facebook page and Crossroads Christian Church. Sponsors hold these events to promote inclusivity and awareness of people who have developmental disabilities.

Co-founder Mindy Aleksiejczyk explained the bash will be a day of fun and games for everyone.

“We are in our fourth year of activities,” Aleksiejczyk stated. “This year’s theme will be Carnival. We will have food, games with prizes, a dunk tank, face painting and more. Last year, we welcomed more than 200 attendees. This event has continued to grow in popularity and I am eager to see the turnout this year.”

A resource table containing information on various agencies which help individuals that the group serves, will be available, to help people find the support they need in Ohio and West Virginia.

Past bashes have been successful, Aleksiejczyk noted, adding this is another way in which to unite people for a sense of community.

“Special Connections has a summer bash every year as a free inclusion event that brings the whole family together and it’s for all ages and abilities,” Aleksiejczyk added, saying she was thankful for the positive response it has received.

“We’ve been able to make the bash bigger and better and more welcoming for everybody who comes,” she concluded. “To be able to do this for years is a special gift for us and the community.”

For information, contact Aleksiejczyk at (740) 457-9941 or email specialconnections740@gmail.com.

Celebration postponed

STEUBENVILLE — The committee planning Mayor Jerry Barilla’s celebratory dinner party has announced it will postpone the event until the fall.

Any tickets that have already been purchased can still be used on the new date, which will be announced in the future, organizers stated.