Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the date (June 19, 1865) that the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect, 30 months after it was signed by President Lincoln. Since its beginnings in Texas, Juneteenth celebrations have spread throughout the states, including Utah, where the major Juneteenth event is held each year in Ogden. This weekend, some Salt Lake City residents are offering up A Taste of Juneteenth, an appetizer for the three-day Juneteenth Heritage Festival a week later in Ogden. It will be at the Gallivan Center in downtown Salt Lake City on Saturday from noon until 10 p.m. Among the activities and entertainment on tap for A Taste of Juneteenth are live bands, speakers orating on the history of the holiday, games and activities for kids, food booths and information booths. "The goal is not to do everything they do in Ogden," said Sam Smith, one of the organizers of A Taste of Juneteenth and a committee member of the Ogden festival. "The goal is to do something in Salt Lake City so that people know what it is. And the goal is to make sure we're teaching as well as entertaining." Ogden's Juneteenth Heritage Festival is June 17-19, at the Marshall White Community Center, and includes the annual Ms. Black Utah Pageant, a parade in downtown Ogden and the annual Gospel Music Festival on Sunday. - Dan Nailen