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Jonesboro, AR — (Contributed) — June 7, 2025 — KLEK 102.5 FM is once again leading the city in honoring one of the most important chapters in American history with its 8th Annual Juneteenth in Jonesboro, a multi-day celebration of freedom, culture, unity, and progress.

Kicking off Thursday, June 12, the weeklong event will feature artistic expression, public education, spiritual reflection, and joyful community gatherings—all free and open to the public.

Since 2017, KLEK has organized Juneteenth in Jonesboro with one goal: to ensure that the community remembers and uplifts the historic legacy of June 19, 1865—the day when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to inform enslaved African Americans of their freedom, more than two years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

That moment marked the true, final death knell of slavery in the United States and gave rise to what we now know as Juneteenth National Independence Day, the newest federal holiday.

“This is more than a festival—it’s a living tribute to the generations who endured unimaginable hardship so that we could stand free today,” said LaGanzie Kale, general manager of KLEK. “Every year, our celebration grows not just in size, but in spirit. It brings together people from all walks of life to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and reimagine the future.”

The 2024 Juneteenth celebration reached over 2,000 attendees in person and 100,000 online. This year’s lineup is designed to surpass that impact, with opportunities to engage culturally, artistically, civically, and spiritually. From a photography exhibition rooted in civil rights history to a vibrant parade, from family fun at the Community Fair to a worship service uniting local churches, Juneteenth in Jonesboro is a celebration for everyone.

The fireworks finale on Wednesday, June 19, will light up the night sky in symbolic honor of freedom hard won and still being defended. Mayor Harold Copenhaver will read the city’s official Juneteenth proclamation, capping a week of pride, remembrance, and resilience.

Find a full schedule of the celebration here.