Acadiana to mark Juneteenth with celebrations from Lafayette to New Iberia

Juneteenth National Independence Day is the United State’s newest federal holiday, commemorating the day the last slaves were freed in Galveston Bay, Texas, on June 19, 1865. 

Since 2021, Juneteenth has been formally marked across the country with a variety of community celebrations that mix summer fun with history, ceremony and remembrance. There are a number of Juneteenth activities planned in Lafayette and across Acadiana, starting this weekend with a Juneteenth Walk at Lafayette’s Heymann Park near the Vermilionville Historic Village. 

Saturday, June 7: SWLA Juneteenth Walk

The Unity Walk will start at 10 a.m. at Heymann Park in Lafayette. 

Heymann Park, 1500 S. Orange Rd., Lafayette

Wednesday, June 18: Move the Mindset Juneteenth Commemoration

The event will begin at 6 p.m. at Lafayette’s Downtown Convention Center. 

Downtown Convention Center, 124 S. Buchanan St., Lafayette 

Thursday, June 19: Juneteenth Opening Ceremonies & Flag Raising

The flag raising will take place at Lafayette City Hall at 9:30 a.m. with LCG officials. 

Lafayette Consolidated Government, 705 W. University Ave., Lafayette

Thursday, June 19: Zebulon’s Dream, performed at Shadows-on-the-Teche

Shadows-on-the-Teche is partnering with the Iberia African American Historical Society to host a special Juneteenth performance of Zebulon’s Dream, written and performed by Louisiana poet Suzanne Wiltz. The event is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and is free to attend.  

Shadows-on-the-Teche, 320 E. Main St., New Iberia

Thursday, June 19: Juneteenth Lyrical Expressions

This is a spoken word/open mic session open to all starting at 5:30 p.m. 

Heymann Park Recreation Center, 1500 S. Orange St., Lafayette 

Friday, June 20: SWLA Juneteenth Banquet & Scholarship Pageant

The banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Lafayette’s Downtown Convention Center. 

6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Downtown Convention Center, 124 S. Buchanan St., Lafayette

Saturday, June 21: SWLA Juneteenth Festival

Families are welcome to bring lawn chairs and picnics to enjoy festivities and music by Rusty Metoyer, Russell Cormier & Homegrown Reggae and Mike Dopsie & the Zydeco Entourage. Gates will open for this free event at 12:30 p.m., and activities and performances will roll all afternoon until 8 p.m. 

Heymann Park, 1500 S. Orange St., Lafayette