46 years later, Al Edwards Juneteenth Celebration still holds significance Juneteenth 160th Anniversary pays tribute to former Texas State Representative Al Edwards In 1979, the former Texas State Representative, Al Edwards, led the charge to get legislation passed that marked Juneteenth as a state holiday in Texas, which would be officially realized on January 1, 1980. On Thursday (6/19/2025), Ashton Villa will hold the Juneteenth Celebration and Al Edwards tribute with a live retelling of General Order Number Three that declared the enslaved people across Texas as free. Former city manager and veteran Juneteenth activist, Douglas Matthews, was friends with Al Edwards throughout his political career. Matthews said that the 160th anniversary at Ashton Villa would have made his friend smile, because he always loved seeing the event grow. “Well, that (the attendance) makes me feel great,” said Douglas. “It means it’s growing, and it has a long life.” The event begins at 10 am in the ballroom at Ashton Villa, filled with decorations and a center podium where community leaders will speak on Juneteenth. “It (the event) started with Reverend James Thomas, who was a Galveston City Council Member, and Al Edwards,” said Matthews. “It used to be the only Juneteenth event on the island, and now there are so many more events.” The celebration will be history recreated as attendees learn about the abolitionists who helped bring the Galveston Juneteenth celebration to where it is today.

Posted by i45NOW Cameron McCollum at 2025-06-19 00:34:09 UTC