Juneteenth Celebrated At Nation's First Jackie Robinson Park

On Saturday, June 15th, 2024, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger commemorated Juneteenth at Jackie Robinson Park in the community of Sun Village in the Antelope Valley. This celebration, organized by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation alongside the Friends of Jackie Robinson Park, is one of the oldest Juneteenth festivities in the county. Jackie Robinson Park, named after the first African-American Major League Baseball player, serves as a fitting venue for the event. Supervisor Barger highlighted the importance of Juneteenth, celebrating the resilience and spirit of the African American community, noting that this local event has been a cornerstone of Antelope Valley for many years.

The celebration featured live music, food, drill teams, and an exhibition on the history of Jackie Robinson Park and Sun Village. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, who spent part of her childhood in Sun Village, was a guest speaker. Supervisor Barger presented Mayor Cantrell with a commendation scroll and honored local leaders and longtime residents. This annual Juneteenth event underscores the community's long-standing commitment to acknowledging and celebrating the significance of the day.

In 2022, Jackie Robinson Park was designated as a County historic landmark by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. The park earned the recognition because it is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of the history of Sun Village and Los Angeles County.