Special to
the Camden News
The Camden Juneteenth Celebration, like freedom, was undeterred last weekend despite storm systems moving in and out of the area.
About an hour before the parade line up, a thunderstorm moved into Ouachita County that left many located on the East side of Camden without electricity. This prompted the Camden Juneteenth Planning Committee to have an impromptu meeting to decide if the parade was going to move forward as planned.
"There was no panic at all," CJPC Chairman Patric Flannigan said, jokingly. "Of course, you wonder if all of the work everyone has done is going to be in vain, but the main priority is everyone's safety. We've learned not to question God's will but to trust it. When the forecast looked promising we decided to move on with the parade, and we still had about 80 percent of the original entries show up. It ended up being cooler, and we had a great time. We're thankful to Officer (Sharlotte) Elliott and the Camden Police Department for staying in contact with us and make sure everything went off without a hitch."
South Arkansas Cultural Association President LaJoy Gordon served as the Grand Marshal for the 2022 Camden Juneteenth Parade. Gordon organized the Camden Juneteenth Celebration in the 1990's with the Henrietta Cosmetology Chapter 25. Other entrants included several elected officials as well as candidates, the CFHS Cheerleaders and Drumline, numerous pageant queens from throughout the golden triangle, area coaches, churches, 4 wheelers, Greek organizations and businesses.
After the parade, the Bridging the Gap Kids Block Party was held at Ira Clark Park. The event is usually held near California Street, but it was moved for spacing reasons and nostalgia purposes. Bishop Chester Thompson opened the ceremony with a soul stirring prayer and reflection on the meaning of Juneteenth before the children were treated to hot dogs and water and competed for cash prizes.
While the official start time for Saturday was at noon, there were plenty of Juneteenth related activities going on within the city. Dr. Shaletha Jones organized a Juneteenth 5K Run/Walk along The Trace that attracted more than 60 competitors from throughout the state and bordering states. Camden Mayor Julian Lott handed out water to competitors as they crossed the finish line. The cheerful atmosphere and camaraderie continued when it was time to take photos as more than 20 medallions were given out.
At the conclusion of the 5K, vendors and attendees were already entering the park. More than 15 different types of vendors were on hand, not including nonprofits and similar organizations. Around 4 o'clock, the committee made the decision to inform the vendors that another storm was moving in, but a few of the vendors stayed through the storm, citing their enjoyment of the environment.
On Sunday, the celebration drew its biggest crowd with the car show. Admission into the event was free and there were around 50 entrees into the contest. E.B. Williams Youth Center's Eric Gunter was on hand to run the event as DJ B-Nice from BAM Entertainment and touring comedian and Camden native Marcus Creekwater Fletcher provided the music and laughs. The CJPC also used the car show to pay tribute to one of its biggest supporters in the late Jeff "Big Poppa" Herndon. Herndon's wife, Helen, was joined by the No Limit Riders Motorcycle Club, as the award for First Place Stock Autocycle was given out in Herndon's honor.
"We were very excited to haev the Junior Junteenth Committee this year too. These are kids that have seen us working on Juneteenth and wanted to join us this year."
"It was an honor for us to be joined by Mrs. Herndon, his family and his club," Flannigan said. "They are a reflection of the positivity and encouragement he brought to us every year. We wanted to do something to show our appreciation... There are so many people to thank from the City of Camden and Mr. Kevin Franklin and Mr. Brown. Brother Dwain Haynie for cooking the hot dogs for the kids and all of the vendors that came out. Bishop Jacovis Davis and Jeremy Able for everything they did to promote us. The committee worked diligently to make this happen and people enjoyed coming to our small town. They had a blast and it was peaceful. Everything went smoothly and we are already looking forward to next year."