Utahns around the state celebrated Juneteenth National Freedom Day, now an official state holiday, for the first time this weekend.
Ogden hosted a major festival in the city amphitheater with live music.
On Sunday, Millcreek, staged a music and skate night, featuring local artists. And, in Logan, there was a community barbecue.
But a number of Utah cities, and at least one county and one school district, did not officially join in the celebration.
Sandy, Eagle Mountain, Orem and Kaysville cities are among those that have not formally adopted the new holiday.
The Beaver County Commission voted in April not to recognize the holiday and the Emery School Board did the same earlier this month.
To be clear, I am not suggesting there is some sort of malice or animosity toward the holiday in these communities.
In many instances, the record is unclear why it wasn’t adopted and it would be unfair to paint all of these communities with a broad brush.
In Sandy, for example, spokeswoman Evelyn Everton said the city has a new mayor and three new council members.
“It’s something they are looking at but haven’t adopted yet,” she said, although the mayor, Monica Zoltanski, is supportive of the holiday.