A group of Whidbey Island churches is celebrating freedom with a special program this Juneteenth.

Unity Fellowship’s program will take place at 12:30 p.m. Monday, June 19 at Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor. Pastor Fannie Dean of Mission Ministry Faith Center said the event will include singing, dancing, speeches, encouragement and refreshments. The theme of the program is “Stand Up.”

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day the last enslaved people in the U.S. were informed of their freedom. The day was first recognized as a federal holiday in the U.S. in 2021.

Dean said Unity Fellowship has been celebrating Juneteenth in Oak Harbor since the 1970s. She said the day is an important commemoration and a time to bring the community together.

“I wanted to make sure that Oak Harbor knows everyone is invited to come celebrate,” she said.

For more information about this event, call 360-720-3202.