Juneteenth Events Will Span Two Weekends Here

Juneteenth on the Square

Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Deriving its name from combining “June” and “nineteenth,” it is celebrated on the anniversary of the order, issued by Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, proclaiming freedom for enslaved Africans Americans in Texas (a picture of the Galveston Newspaper article about the order is pictured below).

Locals have plenty of opportunities to celebrate Juneteenth.

The annual Juneteenth on the Square event will be held in La Grange on the courthouse square from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. June 10.

Event organizer Verlia Mosely said, “The Juneteenth on the Square program will open with Pastor L. Zachary, there will be gospel singers ready to lift our spirits. Then, a youth summer fashion show, ages 3-12 years old. Call (979) 702-9441 to enter. To end the night, “Arctic Blues Band” from Austin will make you happy you have on your dancing shoes. Bring a chair, a blanket, a friend and a desire to have an awesome outing.”

County-Wide Juneteenth Bash

What is being billed as a county-wide Juneteenth Bash will be held at the Randolph Center, 653 E. Pearl St., La Grange, Texas, Friday June 16 -18. “Juneteenth festivities have been a local tradition since the 1870s,” Mr. Johnathon Ellis, President of the Juneteenth Committee, explained. “We’re pleased to invite the community to celebrate this national holiday.”

Here’s a schedule of events:

Friday June 16, 2023

5:30 p.m. – Gospel Music Explosion “Lord, Let Your Fire Fall” featuring Debra Steward and Friends.

Saturday June 17, 2023

10:30 a.m. Parade — La Grange. Starting at E. Milam and S. Jackson, the procession will head north on S. Jackson crossing Travis. The route then turns left on E. Colorado, left on S. Washington, then right, circling the Court House Square. Then, heading north on S. Main, the parade will take a left on Colorado, disbanding at N. River.

11 a.m.-2 p.m. – Freedom Luncheon. Free-will donation community meal; Voter registration, door prizes, and business and organization information booths.

Noon-4 p.m. – N.W. Faison House is open for tours at 822 South Jefferson, La Grange. Free admission.

Sunday June 18, 2023

1 p.m. –Worship service led by Pastor Austin Jones, St. James Missionary Baptist Church, Plum.

The parade is open to anyone. Floats, horses, decorated automobiles and trucks, car clubs, antique automobiles, youth groups, and marching bands needed.

Applications for the parade are available at www.juneteenthtexas. org and are due no later than June 15, 2023. There will be no judging of the parade entries. Please call or text Jonathan Ellis at (979) 436-2217 or email parade@juneteenthtexas.org if you have any questions or concerns.

If you would like to have a table during the community meal, contact info@juneteenthtexas. org.