MAYFIELD, Ky. — Mayfield will celebrate Juneteenth with public events on Saturday and Sunday. Recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth commemorates the ending of slavery and emancipation of enslaved people in the United States.
Mayfield City Councilman Derrick Parrott collaborated with other community members to coordinate the program. He said “many people” are not aware of Juneteenth’s history, but that the events are designed to provide exposure while celebrating it.
“It’s just a good time to bring awareness and educate people on the significance of the day,” Parrott said.
The Saturday celebration will begin in Eddie Williams Park with a free breakfast at 9 a.m. The festivities kick off at 10 a.m. Attendees can participate in a food giveaway, register for prizes and events throughout the day, and visit the interactive resource table. Face painting will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At noon, Mayfield resident Virginia Langford and Paducah resident Danette Turner will serve as guest speakers.
Now retired, Langford worked 23 years for Mayfield’s University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service as a community outreach educator. She is currently the secretary for the Mayfield Graves County NAACP.
Born and raised in rural Jamaica, Turner is now a board member for the Family Service Society, Paducah Diversity and Advocacy Board, and the Chamber of Commerce Marketing and Connectors Committee. She is also the founder and host of the Voiced Thoughts talk show and podcast, which covers social issues and topics.
Parrott explained that the speeches will be educational as the speakers recount their personal journeys. He said they will “tell their stories from the past to present, and what they would like to see in the future.”
The activities start in the early afternoon — firetruck splash at 1:30 p.m., animal balloons at 2 p.m., free grilled food for kids from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and bounce houses from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Presented by FNB, the 3-on-3 basketball tournament begins at 4 p.m. and includes brackets for grades four through six; seven through eight; and nine through 12. Winning teams receive trophies and gift cards. Freethrow and three-point contests will follow the main competition.
Sunday, starting at 2 p.m. in the Blue Building Sports Plex, will be a fusion of Juneteenth and Father’s Day festivities.
“We figured we take the time to celebrate fathers as well. A child’s success has a lot to do with the father figure, role model and home in general,” Parrott said. “We just want to make sure we have a segment geared toward fathers to help them understand their engagement with children and the community.”
Attendees can sign up for an obstacle course challenge for fathers and children. There will be a basketball game for girls and women at 3 p.m. and a Father’s Day basketball game for boys and men at 5 p.m. Winning teams receive cash prizes.
Free grilled food will be available to fathers, along with children, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“This is a way to engage the father and child. That bond together is the focus,” Parrott said.
Attendees can once again register to win prizes. The guest speaker at 2:30 p.m. is Will Williams, the district technician for Mayfield Independent Schools. Parrot said Williams will summarize his personal journey, discussing the significance of Juneteenth and the engagement between children and father figures.
Parrott described his hopes for the Saturday and Sunday Juneteenth programs, allowing the Mayfield community to honor the holiday while understanding the importance of it. This includes “the challenges and struggles African Americans have went through in the past.”
“We’re just hoping that we are able to just promote equality, justice and bringing community together,” Councilman Parrott said. “It’s a good opportunity for unity. We want all races to join us and celebrate African American culture.”
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