Several local celebrations will mark Juneteenth on Saturday, June 19.
“We get to do it on the actual day this year. We used to do it on Father’s Day,” said Johnny Gregory, president of the Band of Brothers. This is the fifth year the organization has sponsored the event, which will be from 2 to 8 p.m. at Daniel Field.
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Admission to the event is free and will feature just about anything people would expect at an Independence Day celebration including “lots of food,” vendors and live performances, he said.
Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, “the celebration of when the last slaves were freed,” Gregory said.
A few years ago, Gregory and several of his friends considered going to Texas for the observance. Galveston, Texas is the site where the last slave was freed; instead, the 11 friends decided to create their own celebration, he said.
Previous events have been held at Pendleton King Park and May Park, but he said he’s excited for the new venue.
Crowds have grown from the first year as well. The debut event drew about 500 people, and the one prior to COVID-19 saw 1,200 patrons.
Gregory said more people have become aware of the significance of Juneteenth, and he expects bigger crowds this year.
“This is going to be big,” he said.
Entertainment will include DJs, spoken word artists and speakers. The event is for the entire family, he said.
For more information, visit the Juneteenth Augusta Facebook page at facebook.com/JuneteenthAugusta.
Other Juneteenth observances include one at the Augusta Museum of History, which will have a mix of virtual and in-person activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 19.
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Self-guided tours, historic games and take-home activities are on the schedule.
Wayne O’Bryant will present a lecture “Understanding the Spirit of Juneteenth: Before There was a Last Freed, There had to be a First Freed” at noon. Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis will take part in a story time at 10 a.m., according to the museum’s website.
Virtual performances will be at 11 a.m. with members of the Jessye Norman School of the Arts and at 1 p.m. by Sistah Olufemi of Kuumba Storytellers.
The museum’s tiny trolley concert featuring the Modern Jazz Movement will be at 2 p.m., and Erin Prentiss of the Augusta-Richmond County Public Library will present the closing lecture at 3 p.m.
Regular museum admission rates apply.
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In Aiken, the Center for African American History, Art and Culture will host its Juneteenth celebration from noon to 3 p.m. at Heritage Park next to 120 York St. N.E.
The event will feature cultural demonstrations, food, creative arts, musical performers, local vendors, health screenings and small group tours, according to the center’s website.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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