TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Next Wednesday is June 19, also known as Juneteenth, a day that commemorates Black people being freed from slavery after the Civil War.
When Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, the Civil War was still being fought. It wasn’t until after the war ended that the proclamation was finally enforced in the south.
On June 19, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston to announce and enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and that is the day that communities across the country continue to celebrate freedom from slavery.
KETK has put together the following list of East Texas Juneteenth events for 2024:
Carthage
On Saturday, the Carthage Courtesy Club is having their Creating Change By Breaking Chains – Juneteenth Celebration 2024 on Saturday, June 15 at 9 a.m. in Carthage Square. The event will feature a DJ, food, a Miss Juneteenth contest and a spade and domino tournament.
Daingerfield
The Morris County Collaborative will hold a Juneteenth celebration at Daingerfield State Park at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 15. There will be a parade at 9 a.m. on Coffee Street and the event will start at 11 a.m. and features food, entertainment, games, kid’s zone, a lemonade stand, bounce house, face painting and a martial arts display.
Kilgore
The Kilgore Legacy Foundation is presenting their annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 15 at Kilgore City Park. A parade will start at 10 a.m. and after the parade there will be a fun day at the park with free food, vendors, live entertainment and fun for children.
Longview
Community Outreach Mission on MLK will have their Juneteenth Annual Celebration in Longview on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1002 Martin Luther King Blvd. They’ll have food, drinks, music and more.
A Juneteenth Comedy Extravaganza will be held at the Longview Community Center at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 15. The event will feature comedians, music, food and more.
There will be a Juneteenth Celebration with fun, music and a cash bar at the Hilton Garden Inn in Longview at 8 p.m. on Saturday.
Tyler
The Juneteenth Association of Tyler will have a Juneteenth Parade in Tyler at 9 a.m. from MLK Blvd to Woldert Park on Saturday. There will be bags of candy handed out at the parade and afterward there will be festivities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, some bus stops on Route 20 for North Tyler will be closed. Visit the City of Tyler online to see a full list of bus stop closures.
The Juneteenth Association of Tyler will also be having a Praise Fest at College Hill Baptist Church at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 14.
The Texas African American Museum Juneteenth Celebration will be on Wednesday, June 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free event will be held at the Texas African American Museum at 309 West Martin Luther King Junior Blvd. and will feature food, games and entertainment.
The East Texas Goon Squad will be hosting a Juneteenth Celebration Bash at Brick’s Bar & Grill on Saturday at 9 p.m. The event will be hosted by DJ Juice from The Blaze.
The Gathering is hosting a Juneteenth Celebration at St. Clare’s Episcopal Church in Tyler at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 17. A meal will be provided for any attendees.
East Texas Social 40 is hosting a Juneteenth Music Fest on Saturday at the Majesty Event Center on Saturday from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. There will be live music from the Front Cover Band and DJ Grady.
Mount Pleasant
Over in Mount Pleasant they’re having a Juneteenth Festival at Oaklawn Park from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday.
If you know of any other Juneteenth events being held in East Texas, email us at Newsroom@ketk.com.
