Juneteenth organizers thank supporters

To the editor:

The Johnson County Community Juneteenth Committee thanks the sponsors, volunteers, and guests who made our 2015 celebration a great success. We hope everyone enjoyed celebrating the 150th anniversary of the end of slavery in the United States.

Event photos are posted on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/icajuneteenth.

We are grateful for financial contributions, discounts and prize donations from these entities: the City of Iowa City, including its Parks & Recreation Department, Human Rights Commission, Recycling Center, and Police and Fire departments; the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, Johnson County social services and the Johnson County Community Partnership for Protecting Children; Waterfront Hy-Vee; Veridian Credit Union; Aero Rental; Johnson County Democrats; the University of Iowa Chief Diversity Office; University of Iowa Community Credit Union; Hills Bank and Trust Co.; IC Balloons; Iowa City/Coralville Convention & Visitors Bureau; Iowa City Downtown District; BlendCard; Southgate Development Co.; Scheels; Rage Graffix; Molly's Cupcakes; Technigraphics; photographer Michael Stenerson; and Pizza Ranch.

We also appreciate the work of Matt Falduto of Dreamwell Theatre, Harriette Pierce of Drury Street Productions, and the area residents and youth who wrote and performed a Juneteenth-themed play.

Our thanks also go to agencies that participated in our Health and Resource Fair and to our entertainers, including youth from The Dream Center, Charism Gospel Trio, Ebony Illusion dance troupe, Funk Daddies, Community Drumming Circle, African American Museum of Iowa, Chef Malachi, and Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre.

We hope the community will join us next June for our 6th annual Iowa City area celebration.

La Tasha DeLoach

Johnson County Community Juneteenth Committee