LIMA — Several of the events scheduled for the Juneteenth celebration this weekend will be moved to September in an effort to garner better attendance.
Mizpah Community Center Executive Director Vicky Shurelds said problems securing promised sponsorship money in time led to the changes. Mizpah hosts the Lima Juneteenth Celebration each year in Lima. The event is held to celebrate the end of slavery in the U.S.
The committee had considered canceling the event. However, members decided to have some of the events after the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday. On Saturday, the ShowWay 5K run will take place at 11 a.m. and the Cleo Vaughn three-on-three basketball tournament will take place after. Both events are at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center Park.
From 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, a community picnic and gospel concert will take place at the park.
Other events will be moved to Sept. 1 to 4, including the Miss Heart of Ohio Pageant, the festival featuring entertainment by GGGregg, the rejuvenation dinner and a gospel concert featuring recording artist Allean Vardo Lang. Other events will also be available.
Mizpah joined forces with Global Riches and Cage Design, who had scheduled an event for that weekend. Shurelds said combining with the groups will give the center more help on making the event a success.
“We didn’t have enough help with the committee and things were beginning to fall apart,” Shurelds said. “We are hoping to combine our efforts and turn this into an annual event.”
Global Riches president Cortey Edwards said the combined effort should be beneficial for all. Events they have scheduled for the September weekend include motivational speakers, a college and job fair at Lima Senior High School, a basketball camp and all-star basketball game, a comedy show, and a giveaway featuring school supplies, book bags, uniforms, and more.
“We are trying to get the community familiar with our project and make them aware of different options they have for help,” Edwards said.
Shurelds said all tickets purchased for the June event will be honored in September.
