Juneteenth celebrated in the Golden Triangle

Aaniyah Cole, 8, jumps up in the air while her cousin Kelvyianna Jackson, 11, watches on Friday during a Juneteenth celebration at Southside Park in Columbus. Aaniyah and Kelvyianna are from Jackson, Tennessee and came to Columbus to celebrate Juneteenth with their grandpa, who lives in town. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Kayla Rupert serves customers shaved ice during a Juneteenth celebration on Saturday at J.L. King Senior Memorial Park in Starkville. There was another food truck and several local restaurants also set up tents in the park during the festival. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Laisey Erby, 4, sips strawberry soda from a straw during a Juneteenth celebration on Friday at Southside Park in Columbus. After she finished her soda, Laisey ran around on the playground in the park with her siblings and friends. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

From left, Nathan, 2, and Nicolas, 3, Lofton ride in a wagon pulled by Michelle Martin while Shauncey Hill walks with them during a Juneteenth celebration on Saturday at J.L. King Senior Memorial Park in Starkville. Martin pulled Nathan and Nicolas through the parking lot and around a fire truck, which was parked so the kids could look at it during the festival. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

From left, Stanley Erby and his son Khiry Erby grill together during a Juneteenth celebration on Friday at Southside Park in Columbus. The barbeque stand belongs to Khiry, and he said his dad is “in training” to help with the business. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Lauren Prince paints on the art wall during a Juneteenth celebration on Saturday at J.L. King Senior Memorial Park in Starkville. People were invited to paint or draw on the wall to commemorate the day. The mural will be hung in the J.L. King Center after the event. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

People bow their heads in prayer to kick off a Juneteenth celebration on Saturday at J.L. King Senior Memorial Park in Starkville. The event had guest speakers and entertainers, including District Attorney Scott Colom, State of Shade and the Dickson Violinists. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

The sun sets as families barbeque and relax in lawn chairs during a Juneteenth celebration on Friday at Southside Park in Columbus. The festival began around 5 p.m. and lasted until after dark. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Rev. Sammie Perry Jr. grills hot dogs and hamburgers during a Juneteenth celebration on Friday at Southside Park in Columbus. Perry came to the festival with his daughters and grandchildren, who came to town to visit him from Jackson, Tennessee. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

From left, Sonya Coleman, Tracy Williams and Sirharv James watch people dance as a DJ plays music during a Juneteenth celebration on Friday at Southside Park in Columbus. The DJ began playing music at 5 p.m. and didn’t stop until well into the night. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff