The “Juneteenth of New Bern” celebration is set to kick off next month with a series of events, including an art walk, a parade, and a fireworks show. The festivities will begin on June 7 and continue for over two weeks, culminating in the fifth annual parade and festival on June 14.
A highlight of the celebration will be a troupe from the Bahamas, who will host a three-day workshop on Junkanoo, a Caribbean celebration. Talina Massey, treasurer of Juneteenth of New Bern, said, “They are from Nassau, Bahamas and they are super excited to be here. There’s gonna be about ten dancers that are coming. They are world-renowned. They have performed at the White House. They have performed in Germany and all over Europe.”
Jesse Mars, president of Juneteenth of New Bern, emphasized the cultural significance of the parade. “The first thing I want people to know about the parade is its cultural diversity, something that signifies bringing a community together to celebrate the entirety of US history,” said Mars.
Juneteenth, now a federal holiday, commemorates June 19, 1865, when the last American slaves in Texas learned of their freedom, more than two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
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