Enjoy live music from headliners The Main Ingredient and Slave
This year’s Juneteenth Celebration presented by Grace Arms of Antioch will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2024 and feature a Kids Corner, food, games, vendors and live music with headliners The Main Ingredient and Slave.
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Though the Emancipation Proclamation was given by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, the beginning of the end of slavery wouldn’t be recognized until sometime later – June 19, 1865.
Early celebrations date back to 1866, at first involving church-centered community gatherings in Texas. They spread across the South amongst newly freed African American slaves and their descendants and became more commercialized in the 1920s and 1930s, often centering on a food festival. Participants in the Great Migration brought these celebrations to the rest of the country.
The day was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Juneteenth became the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was adopted in 1983.
Start of Juneteenth Celebration
When the American Civil War ended, the Union Army arrived in Texas led by Major General Gordon Granger who was given command of the District of Texas on June 10, 1865. On June 19, in the city of Galveston, one of the first orders of business was to post Granger’s General Order No. 3 to inform a reluctant community that President Lincoln over two years earlier had freed the slaves and to press locals to comply with his directive. His order began with:
“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection therefore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer.”
This set off joyous demonstrations by the freed people, originating the annual Juneteenth celebration, which commemorates the abolition of slavery in Texas. The celebration’s name is a blend of the words “June” and “nineteenth”.
Why did it take so long for the news to get to Texas?
There is no one reason why there was a two-and-a-half-year delay in letting Texas know about the abolition of slavery in the United States, according to Juneteenth.com. The historical site said some accounts place the delay on a messenger who was murdered on his way to Texas with the news, while others say the news was deliberately withheld.
Due to the delay, slavery did not end in Texas overnight, according to an article by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. originally posted on The Root. Gates said after New Orleans fell, many slavers traveled to Texas with their slaves to escape regulations enforced by the Union Army in other states.
“Not any business, including any business I worked for would take a deposit at night” – Craig Cannon, Contra Costa County Fair Board President
Shares more details, says policies and procedures will be discussed at next Board meeting June 12
Positive Fair news: Mexican rodeo group working to bring Hispanic-themed events to former arena
By Allen D. Payton
Following the armed robbery of proceeds from the Contra Costa County Fair during an attempted bank deposit early Monday morning, May 20, 2024, after the end of this year’s fair Sunday night, on Thursday, Fair Board President Craig Cannon shared additional details about the incident. (See related article)
Asked to confirm the amount of $90,000 that was stolen he said, “I got it as a little under $100,000. I got that from the police. (Fair CEO) Joe Brengle’s not even talking to me.”
However, according to another board member, John Pence, Brengle sent out an email Wednesday night to him and the other board members about the matter. Cannon said he hadn’t seen it.
“Not any business, including any business I worked for would take a deposit at night,” Cannon continued. “It’s unusual. It’s one of the things I want to get the board together to talk about. Why would you make such a poor decision? The only one who has a deposit key is the fair manager.”
“A lot of information is not being shared when it’s supposed to be,” he stated. “It all boils down to the fair manager. He handles the overall money receipts, personnel, hiring and firing. But Joe works for the board. We hire and fire him.”
Asked if insurance will cover any of the loss, Cannon said, “I don’t believe so because it wasn’t during Fair hours or on property and it wasn’t in the bank. There’s a really thin line, there.”
Asked why the people depositing the funds weren’t joined by armed escorts by either the contracted security firm or county sheriff’s deputies, he responded, “That’s the question I’m trying to find out. But he’s (Brengle’s) not being forthright. That’s what we will discuss at the next board meeting. I’ve talked to the State of California, and they said I can’t have an emergency meeting. In my eyes, almost a hundred grand is a major crime against us.”
About the security firm, Praetorian and this year’s Fair, Cannon said, “They were great. This year’s fair was a good one and safe.”
He then reiterated what was shared with other media, that the loss of that amount of money could impact the fair’s music headliners and animal attractions for next year.
“This whole thing stinks,” he stated.
Two Temporary Staffers Handled Deposit
Asked who handled the deposit Cannon said, “Two temporary staffers hired by the Fair, this year in charge of parking and ticket sales. That’s another red flag. Something’s really wrong. Joe seems like a sensible guy. I don’t know why he would make that decision.”
Asked why the money wasn’t left in a safe on the fairgrounds and deposited during daylight, he said, “That’s a decision for the fair manager” and shared that the Fair, technically state’s 23rd District Agricultural Association, currently only has two full-time employees, Brengle and an administrative assistant who works in the office with him.
Since it’s the public’s money Cannon said, “That’s my concern. I also suggested the state bring in the CHP which oversees county fairs in the state. They delegate the authority to the county sheriff’s office.”
“I don’t work for the state,” he explained. “I’m appointed by the governor. Not this governor, the past one. The appointments are renewed. We can barely have a meeting quorum. If someone is sick, we can’t hold a meeting. The governor’s busy with the budget.”
Asked why the funds weren’t taken to the bank by the fair manager and a board member for a check and balance and if there is a procedure in place Cannon stated, “There will be. The Fair Board is all about policies and procedures. The manual is about 50 pages. But we don’t handle the day-to-day. Taking funds to the bank during daylight hours should be the policy.”
“He (Brengle) hasn’t been forthcoming to anyone on the board about this,” the fair board president reiterated. “This is crazy. It makes no sense at all.”
One positive thing Cannon shared is that a Mexican rodeo group is working to bring Hispanic-themed events to the former arena that was used as the paintball park.
The next board meeting, which is open to the public, will be held Wednesday, June 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the Fair Board Directors’ Room at the Contra Costa Event Center (fairgrounds) located at 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch.
ByActing Sergeant Kristian Palma #6286 Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau
On Monday, May 20, 2024, at approximately 2:18 AM, Antioch police officers responded to the 2500 block of Somersville Road for the report of an armed robbery.
When officers arrived, they contacted two victims. Officers learned the victims were employees of the Contra Costa County Event Park (Fairgrounds). The Contra Costa County Fair had ended, and two employees were tasked with conducting the night deposit. While conducting the night deposit at the BMO Bank they were approached by an unknown suspect. The suspect robbed the victims of the money and personal belongings at gunpoint.
Other news reports have pegged the amount stolen at $90,000. When asked, a county fair representative offered no comment but didn’t know how that amount was known by other media. Questions were emailed late Wednesday night to Fair CEO Joe Brengle asking if that’s correct, why the deposit was made at that time instead of leaving it in a safe on the fairgrounds and waiting until Monday morning to make the deposit, what is the usual procedure and for any additional information he could share.
We are asking for anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau. Additional inquiries or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Sgt. Palma at (925) 779-6876 or by emailing kpalma@antiochca.gov.
Additional questions were emailed to Brengle Thursday afternoon including:
“Shouldn’t the deposit of such an amount be made with an armed escort, such as staff from the security company, Praetorian hired by the Fair this year or county sheriff’s deputies? Does the Fair have policies and procedures in place for handling deposits? Were they followed? What are they? What amount does the $90,000 (or more) represent of the Fair’s proceeds? Will the Fair’s insurance cover any or all of the loss? What impacts will it have for the Fair’s future?”
Please check back later for any updates to this report.
Enjoy a Fun Afternoon of Wine Tasting, Shopping, Art & Live Music in Antioch’s historic downtown
Fun Outdoor Wine Tasting Event! The Rivertown Business District is hosting local Wineries in Beautiful Downtown Antioch’s Rivertown Business District with Great Music Performed by Project 4 Band!
What: 2025 Rivertown Wine Walk & Artisan Faire When: May 11, 2024 Noon-4pm Starting Location: 314 G Street, Antioch CA 94509
This is a Free Event to the Public to Enjoy Artisan Faire and Music, If you Wish to Participate in the Wine Walk You Must Purchase a Ticket and be At Least 21 Years of Age. Tickets are limited to 500 So We Highly Recommend You Order Yours in Advance. Tickets also sold at Willow Park Mercantile & Rivertown Treasure Chest in Downtown Antioch CA
Participating Local Wineries & Merchants:
Hannah Nicole Vineyards – Willow Park Merchants Cline Family Cellars – Almost There Travel Bloomfield Winery – Rivertown Treasure Chest Campos Vineyards – Royal Banquet and Event Hall Viano Winery – Renu Salon Oakridge Winery – K911kitty rescue D’Art Winery – Flying Dutchman Tattoo Nostra Vita Winery – Rivertown Chiropractic Michael David Winery – Antioch Chamber Favalora Winery – Jim Lanter State Farm Insurance
*Businesses Pouring Wine from 12pm -4:00pm
Sponsored by Celebrate Antioch Foundation
Free Public Parking: 2nd & E Streets, 2nd & F Streets, 2nd & Waldie Plaza, Between 2nd & 3rd City Hall, Across the Street from City Hall, Between 2nd & 3rd, Nick Rodriquez Comm. Center, 3rd & H Streets, 3rd & I Streets.
Information meeting Jan. 24; application deadline Feb. 2
Contra Costa County Fair Queen serves as a role model for young women in our community.
The pageant is seeking young women who are intelligent, articulate, charming, talented, sincere and healthy (in mind and body) with warm outgoing personalities.
The winner and her court will reign for one year.
Closing date for Application is Friday, February 2nd, 2024.
Contestants must be between the ages of 17 – 21 years old, on the day of the pageant (May 16th, 2024). Contestant must be female, single, have never been married nor is planning to be married until after her reign, and have never given birth to a child.
Pageant Information Meeting:
Wednesday, January 24th at 6pm, to assist and answer any questions regarding the pageant,
completing the application form and the required activities.
Visit www.contracostafair.com for Contra Costa County Fair updates on shows, exhibits, entertainers, fair-time sponsors, fair maps, promotions, ticket sales and more!
ANTIOCH – Save the date for the 2024 Contra Costa County FAIR happening May 16 – 19 at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch.
To FAIR and Beyond is the theme for a fun planned four-day event for fair-goers of all ages. The Contra Costa County Fair is the perfect place to enjoy live entertainment, exciting arena events, delicious food, carnival rides, animals and hundreds of exhibits – all in a community-friendly environment at affordable prices!
Main stage entertainment at our 2024 FAIR concert series is FREE with admission to the FAIR.
