June 19 is Juneteenth, a national holiday and independence day for African-Americans which marks the official end of slavery in the U.S. in 1865, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Athens-Clarke County, in partnership with the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement, will host the city’s annual Juneteenth Festival on Saturday.
The festivities will kick off at College Square near the UGA Arch to include a march to City Hall on College Avenue at 10:30 a.m. The Juneteenth flag will be raised at the city hall at 11 a.m. This will be followed by attendees enjoying food and local nonprofit vendors, guest speakers, live music, and other activities. Admission is free.
Performers include Splitz Band, Narlie Wilson, The Prodigy Elite Dolls, League of Step and Girl Power and more. Rev. Daryl Bloodshaw, Hattie Whitehead, Linda Davis, Mikhayla Robinson-Smith, who is Athens Poet Laureate, will be guest speakers.
Later in the evening, SLay Pageants will present the Miss Juneteenth Pageant at 5 p.m. at the Morton Theatre on West Washington Street. Admission is $25, but you can buy tickets in advance for $25 at eventbrite.com.
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5 things to do this weekend:Juneteenth Celebration, Athens Hip Hop Awards and more
