JFest

JFest is an annual festival held in Gainesville, Florida that celebrates the Juneteenth holiday. It is also a juried art show, and has musical performances, a Youth Talent Showcase, and a carnival. The next Juneteenth Festival & Juried Art Show (JFest) will be held on Saturday & Sunday, June 14-15, 2008 on the conjoined grounds of Williams Elementary School, Lincoln Middle School, and Lincoln Park in East Gainesville, FL.

The festival attracts artists from all across the country and even some artists from other countries.

Juneteenth, or June 19, was first celebrated in 1865 and recognizes the day that the last slaves in the United States received word of their freedom as a result of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Juneteenth is an occasion for celebrating independence, family, and community. It is also a day of self-empowerment. JFest 2007 seeks to promote these goals through a month-long series of events that commemorate Juneteenth, Yulee Railroad Days, and African American Music Month. JFest also seeks to raise awareness of environmental health impacts within the African American community.

JFest is produced by The Cotton Club Museum & Cultural Center, Inc. (CCMCC). The CCMCC is a sustainable rehabilitation project of a former African American music hall located in East Gainesville, FL.

Mission

The Cotton Club Museum & Cultural Center, Inc. is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the preservation of African American history and culture through fine, folk, and performing arts.

Vision

The Juneteenth Festival & Juried Art Show will be a multidimensional showcase of fine, folk, and performing arts dedicated to the preservation of the rich heritage of people of African ancestry.

Sustainability

JFest seeks to promote environmental awareness amongst festival participants. To this end, we will be featuring alternative fuel vehicles and providing as much access to the grounds through community shuttles as possible, as well as attempting to "green" the event in other ways.

External links

* [http://www.gainesville.com/article/20070621/GUARDIAN/70620035/-1/xml The Guardian Article About the Festival]
* [http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070615/DAYBREAK/706150320/-1/xml Gainesville Sun Article About Juneteenth]
* [http://www.gainesville.com/article/20070617/SUNFRONT/706170315/-1/xml Juneteenth at the Gainesville Sun]
* [http://www.jfestcentral.com JFest Official Website]