a day ago
Juneteenth celebration set for June 14
TUPELO — Every year, residents and officials alike gather at Gum Tree Park to celebrate the day the last slaves were notified of their emancipation following the American Civil War.
Tupelo will host its annual Juneteenth Tupelo Freedom Celebration June 14 at 4 p.m. at Gum Tree Park, with a separate celebration set from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on June 19, the official day of the federal holiday. Both are free to attend.
'We are very excited. Each year gets better. Each year… more people become aware of not just the festival but also the history,' organizer Jennifer Lawrence said. 'We come from a people that persevered. They went through a lot of oppression but we are here. We are still growing and evolving and we are making strides.'
Juneteenth, a portmanteau of June and 19th, marks the annual celebration of the day Union soldiers traveled to Texas to announced that all enslaved Black people in the state were now free, officially ending slavery in the United States. In 2021, former President Joe Biden signed a law naming the day a federal holiday.
The Saturday, June 14, festivities will include music performances, multiple speakers, a barbecue cook-off, a kids zone, a dance contest and giveaways. As part of the event, four graduating Black high school seniors or college students each will receive a $300 Conway Goree Scholarship. There will be a mini motorbike raffle as well.
Before the June 19 celebration at the park, Lawrence said there will be a march from Gum Tree Museum on main street up to the monument by the old courthouse.
Musical performances include Rapper J, Unique JS, Geno Jones' FOCUS, KP & Favor, Genesis United of Starkville, Mighty Gospel Warriors, Lawrence McKenzie, Changed of Amory, Tay Cheesy Brand the Line Dance Queen, J. Green & The Smack Band, The Crossroads Band, EJ Soul, Music Doll TB and more.
Before the event proper begins, there will be a parade that starts 3 p.m., starting at the C.C. Augustus Center on North Green Street. Organizers request those attending bring lawn chairs.
On June 20, the second annual 'Freedom Face Up' basketball tournament will take place at the Tupelo Police Athletic League, 204 Douglas Street.
For more information, contact, Bridgett 'Miss Bam' Shelly at (662) 871-7590 or Lawrence at (662) 816-8403. Lawrence said vendors are still welcome to apply.
