Federal troops marched into Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865 – more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed – to inform more than 250,000 enslaved people in the state of their freedom.

The day became known as Juneteenth and was celebrated as the end of slavery in the United States locally and across the nation before becoming a nationally-recognized holiday in 2021.

This year, the Golden Triangle will celebrate Juneteenth with multi-day festivities aimed to educate, celebrate and unite its communities.

In Columbus, festivities will kick off at 6 p.m. Saturday with the annual Juneteenth Ball at Trotter Convention Center.

Lowndes County District 5 Supervisor Leroy Brooks said all tables for the ball are sold out, though there are limited individual tickets still available for $20 each, which can be purchased by contacting Brooks at (662) 251-8125.

Celebrations will continue with the Juneteenth Music Festival, beginning at 6 p.m. June 20 and 5 p.m. June 21 at Sim Scott Park.
Brooks said the two-day music festival will feature seven musicians and about 10 food vendors. Any vendor who would like to participate in the festival should contact Brooks to fill out an application.

The fourth annual Juneteenth Parade will begin at 9 a.m. June 21 at the Roger Short Soccer Complex. The parade will travel through downtown Columbus to the Municipal Complex. Brooks said anyone interested in participating should contact him to be added to the lineup.

Brooks said that through participating in these celebrations, he hopes younger generations will connect more deeply with the significance of Juneteenth.

“It’s about an important piece of our history, about slavery and about freedom,” Brooks said. “… I’ve come to recognize that you have a whole generation that has no attachment to Juneteenth. So I hope that this will trickle down to that 20, 30, 40, age category – that they will begin to understand the importance of these holidays and be ready to take the baton and go to the next level.”

Yulanda Haddix, president for the Oktibbeha County Branch of NAACP, said she believes Juneteenth is a day to bring communities together, regardless of cultural background.

“We are one community,” Haddix said. “Nothing separates us but us, and nothing brings us together but us. … This is an opportunity for the community to contribute as one.”

To encourage more to attend and celebrate the day, Haddix said all of Starkville’s “one-of-a-kind” Juneteenth celebrations are free.

The celebration in Starkville will kick off with an opening ceremony beginning at 6 p.m. June 19 at Fire Station Park, followed by live jazz, country and blues music for the event’s Arts and Cultural Experience.

Celebrations will continue the next day, beginning with a Kid’s Fun Day from noon to 4 p.m. June 20 at J.L. King Park. The event, sponsored by Amazon, will provide free outdoor activities and food to children. Haddix said she hopes to see about 400 children show up to play.

A Starkvegas Heritage and History Tour will be given by author Jerry Jones and local figure Charles “La La” Evans from 2:15 to 4 p.m. The tour, which can accommodate up to 30 people on a first-come first-serve basis, will depart from the J.L. King Center and will take attendees through historical landmarks in Starkville.

Festivities will continue with a 5K walk or run at 8 a.m. June 21 from the Needmore Center to Unity Park. Registration for the 5K can be done at the Needmore Center at 7 a.m.

After the 5K, a health fair, hosted by Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi Medical Center, will be held at Unity Park. Following that, a second opportunity for the Starkvegas Heritage and History Tour will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. and will depart from Unity Park.

An exotic car show will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Renasant Plaza, followed by live music to conclude celebrations.

Juneteenth Schedule:

Columbus

Saturday, June 14
■ Juneteenth Ball, beginning at 6 p.m. at Trotter Convention Center.

Friday, June 20
■ Juneteenth Festival starting at 6 p.m. at Sim Scott Park

Saturday, June 21
■ Juneteenth Parade in downtown Columbus at 9 a.m.
■ Juneteenth Festival starting at 5 p.m. at Sim Scott Park

Starkville

Thursday, June 19:
■ Financial literacy workshops from 9 to 11 a.m. at J.L. King Center.
■ Open House and Arts Display from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at J.L. King Center.
■ Opening Ceremony, Arts and Cultural Experience beginning at 6 p.m. at Fire Station Park.

Friday, June 20:
■ Amazon Kid’s Fun Day from noon to 4 p.m. at J.L. King Park.
■ Starkvegas Heritage and History Tour from 2:15 to 4 p.m., departing from J.L. King Park.
■ Presentation by Orlando Trainer for community leaders from 5 to 6 p.m. at J.L. King Park.
■ Arts and Cultural Experience, Fireworks show from 6 to 10 p.m. at J.L. King Park.

Saturday, June 21
■ 5K Run/Walk from Needmore Center to Unity Park, beginning at 8 a.m., followed by MSU/UMMC Health Fair.
■ Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. at Unity Park.
■ Exotic Car Show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Renasant Plaza.
■ Starkvegas Heritage and History Tour from 1 to 3 p.m., departing from Unity Park.
■ Arts and Cultural Experience beginning at 5 p.m. at Fire Station Park.