Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.
The SWLA Juneteenth Committee tells us that back in 1865, it was on June 19th that Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with the news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.
Juneteenth today celebrates African American freedom and achievement while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures.
Here's a list of Juneteenth events planned in Acadiana's parishes.
If your event is not listed, and you'd like it included, please send the information to news@katctv.com.
IBERIA PARISH
June 15 - Second Annual Juneteenth Student Poetry Contest awards ceremony
The Shadows-on-the-Teche holds its Second Annual Juneteenth Student Poetry Contest. Using “The Hill We Climb” by poet Amanda Gorman as a prompt, Iberia Parish public school students were invited to write poems to commemorate the Juneteenth National Holiday. The theme of the competition was “Freedom and Justice for All.”
The award ceremony will be on Saturday, June 15th, 10:30 a.m., at the Sliman Theatre in New Iberia. Winners of the competition will be announced in two categories: middle school and high school. Cash prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third place winners in each category. Students who placed will have the opportunity to read their poems.
Judges for the competition are former Louisiana Poet Laureates Darrell Bourque, Dr. Mona Lisa Saloy, and John Warner Smith.
The event is free to the public. Students and teachers at Iberia Parish public schools are especially encouraged to attend, as well as their family and friends. For additional information, contact John Warner Smith, Executive Director of the Shadows-on-the-Teche at (337)-369-6446 or at jwsmith@savingplaces.org
June 15 - Juneteenth Skate Jam, starting at noon in the Bayou Wheels Skatepark in New Iberia.
June 14 - GPAL Gala at the Cade Community Center
June 15 - Parade and Festival at West End Park
Here are the details:
LAFAYETTE PARISH
The Southwest Louisiana (SWLA) Juneteenth Committee's mission is to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States by celebrating the joys of liberty, educating the community about African American heritage, and by promoting positive cultural interaction. Every year, the SWLA Juneteenth Committee hosts various events in honor of the Juneteenth (June 19th) Holiday, including the SWLA Juneteenth Music Festival.
Here's a list of planned activities:
June 14 - The Juneteenth Story 7:30pm, Acadiana Center for the Arts, 101 W. Vermilion St., Lafayette
June 15 - The Juneteenth Story 7:30pm, Acadiana Center for the Arts, 101 W. Vermilion St., Lafayette
June 16 - The Juneteenth Story 2pm, Acadiana Center for the Arts, 101 W. Vermilion St., Lafayette
June 17 - Move the Mindset: Juneteenth Commemoration 6pm – 8:30pm, Downtown Convention Center, 124 Buchanan St. Lafayette
June 18 - 40 Acres and a Mule 6:00pm, Downtown Convention Center, 124 S. Buchanan Street, Lafayette
June 19 - Juneteenth Flag Raising
Lafayette Mayor-President Monique B. Boulet and representatives of the SWLA Juneteenth Committee will raise the Juneteenth flag, officially declaring the Juneteenth Celebration. The ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. at Lafayette City Hall, 705 W. University Avenue.
June 19 - Juneteenth Reception at noon in the foyer of City Hall, 705 West University Avenue, Lafayette
June 19 - Lyrical Expressions-Spoken Word-Open Mic 5:30-7:30pm, Historic Heymann Park, 1500 S Orange St, Lafayette
June 21 - Juneteenth Banquet / Pageant 6:30pm-9:30pm, Downtown Convention Center, 124 Buchanan St. Lafayette
June 22 - Juneteenth Festival - 4:30pm-8:30pm – Historic Heymann Park, 1500 S Orange St, Lafayette
ST. LANDRY PARISH
June 14 - Juneteenth Celebration La La Gala
June 15 - Juneteenth Parade rolls in Eunice
ST. MARTIN PARISH
June 15 - St. Martinville Juneetenth Celebration of Freedom, from 2 - 7 pm at Evangeline Oak Park. Music by DJ Soul Diva Renada Hypolite, performances by JDA & EDA Dance Groups, lectures, book signings, food and gift vendors.
ST. MARY PARISH
June 14 - 4th Annual Soul Food Festival at Parc Surla Teche, Franklin. From 8 am – 10 p.m. There will be Live music, Soul Food Booths, a 5K race, a Health Village, a Juneteenth Exhibition, a Children’s Village, and more.
June 15 - 5K Marathon will start on 500 Main Street, Franklin at 7 a.m. The Kids 1 Mile Fun run for ages 7-12 years old for $15 and begins at 8:30 a.m. Start line of SFF 5K Franklin Bayou Side. There will be cool prizes for kids and must be accompanied by a parent. Refreshments will be served post-race. Details & race instructions will be given prior to the start of the race. The race benefits the 100 Black Men Scholarship fund. You can register by scanning a QR code on The Soul Food Festivals Facebook. The music will be held at Parc SurLa Teche in Franklin. For more information visit Facebook at Soul Food Fest.
June 13 - Soul Food Festival Kick Off, Franklin, 6 pm.
June 14 - Soul Food Festival Musical Lineup
Music, Food, Community & More
5 pm – DJ Fab
8 pm – Lil Nate and the Zydeco Big Timers
9 pm – DJ Fab
June 15 - Soul Food Festival Musical Lineup
5 pm – Bunk Johnson Band
6 pm – DJ Fab
7 pm – Get Cha Sum Band
8 pm – Kenny Wade Band
8:30 pm – DJ Fab
9 pm – Andrew Jackson
9:30 pm – Mr. Hot Topic
10 pm – DJ Fab
June 15 - Teche Action Clinic (The Health Village), 9 am to 12 pm, Blevins Building, 600 Main Street, Franklin
Teche Action Clinic of Franklin, Louisiana's first Community Health Center, is sponsoring a Health Village June 15, from 9am to Noon, at the Soul Food Festival in Franklin. Over 20 vendors will be present inside the Blevins Building, across from the St Mary Parish Courthouse, at 500 Main Street. Take advantage of free medical tests including blood pressure. Register to Vote. Or sign up your children for Head Start or the St Mary Ready Start Program. Also, sign up for Medicaid, or perhaps change your health insurance.
June 15 - 5th Annual Juneteenth Bike Ride and Celebration starts at Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church, 113 Federal Avenue, Morgan City at 8 am on June 15th. Ends at Jimmy Johnson Memorial Basketball Court.
Come out to experience a day filled with history and celebration of Freedom. Bike rider waivers can be picked up at KBZE Radio Station, Cannatas, Skinners Barbershop, and Morgan City Hall.
Learn the History of Morgan City, The Speaker will be Pastor Ron Bias.
VERMILION PARISH
June 15 - Juneteenth Celebration at Comeaux Park starting at 3 p.m.
