Communities across Southeast Texas are marking Juneteenth with parades, festivals, music, cultural performances and family activities Friday and Saturday.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when U.S. Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3 in Galveston, informing enslaved people in Texas that they were free. The announcement came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
Here are Juneteenth events scheduled across the area:
Port Arthur
Port Arthur’s Juneteenth celebration continues Friday with a brunch, parade and block party.
The Juneteenth Brunch begins at 10 a.m. at 711 Procter St. The Juneteenth Parade begins at 3:30 p.m. on Procter Street, followed by the Kulture Block Party at 5 p.m. on the pavilion grounds.
The block party will include music, games, bounce houses, food vendors, local vendors and community activities.
Port Arthur’s eighth annual Juneteenth Festival is scheduled for Saturday at Sgt. Lucian Adams Park. Organizers say the all-day event will include a softball tournament, vendor fair, food, live music, games and DJs.
Beaumont
The City of Beaumont Juneteenth Celebration is scheduled for 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Beaumont Civic Center, 701 Main St.
Admission is free.
The city says the event will feature live entertainment, cultural performances and family activities inside the Civic Center.
The entertainment lineup includes Zapp Band, Brian Jack and the Zydeco Gamblers, NuSoul & Blacque Koffee and the SETX Linesteppers. Erik Tee from Magic 102.5 will host the event and provide music throughout the evening.
Families can also visit the H-E-B Kids Zone, which will include games, face painting, crafts and other activities for children.
Orange
The fifth annual Krewe de Onyx Juneteenth Festival is scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the Riverfront Pavilion at the Orange Boat Ramp off Simmons Drive.
Gates open at 5 p.m. both days.
The free festival will feature zydeco music, food and drink trucks, booths, vendors and a car show. The car show begins at 6 p.m. and has a $25 entry fee.
Organizers say people attending should bring lawn chairs. No outside food or alcohol will be allowed.
Rusty Metoyer is scheduled to perform from 9:30 p.m. to midnight Friday. Saturday’s lineup includes David Sylvester from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Lil Nate from 10 p.m. to midnight.
Kingdom Assignment Ministries of Orange will also host a Juneteenth gathering from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at Navy Park on Morell Boulevard. The event will include music, food, activities and history.
People planning to attend outdoor Juneteenth activities in Orange County are encouraged to check for weather-related updates or cancellation announcements before heading out.
Galveston
Galveston, where Juneteenth began, also has events planned Friday and Saturday.
The Galveston Juneteenth Parade starts at 3 p.m. Friday. Lineup begins at 1:30 p.m. The parade route runs from 26th and Ball streets to Wright Cuney Park, with a community picnic following the parade.
The Galveston Island Juneteenth Music Festival and Fireworks event is scheduled for 1 to 10 p.m. Friday at Menard Park, 2222 28th St. The event will include live music, cultural activities, youth recognition, community tributes and fireworks along the Gulf.
Reedy Chapel AME Church will also host “Echoes of Emancipation: A Juneteenth Celebration” beginning at noon Friday at 2015 Broadway in Galveston.
Moody Gardens will show “Juneteenth: The Galveston Story” at 2:10 and 3:10 p.m. Friday in the MG 3D Theater.
On Saturday, Galveston Historical Foundation will host a free screening of “Hidden Figures” from 8 to 10 p.m. at Hendley Green, 2028 Strand St.
Anyone attending events should check with organizers for the latest updates before heading out.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source kfdm.com ’
