It's a community celebration with food, games and music to honor a significant day in African American history.

On June 19th of 1865, Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation finally was enforced in Texas.

Close to a 150 years later, this generation still celebrates that milestone.

"It's real nice to see all these people coming together" said Bena White.

Bena White said her mother and grandmother lived through tougher times and taught her lessons in strength that she passes on.

Even though this holiday started out as a solemn anniversary, people here said it has evolved into a time used to be with friends and family.

This was the 30th year of the Juneteenth Committee has put on this event in Abilene.

The group distributed hundreds of plate of food for free thanks to fundraisers and Lawrence Brother's Supermarkets.