The Sandersville Inaugural Juneteenth celebration is scheduled to take place this weekend at the Elderite Community Center on Hall Street in Sandersville.
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It dates back to June 19, 1865, when slaves in Galveston, Texas learned of their freedom, which was approximately two-and-a-half years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
The local celebration will take place beginning Friday, June 18 with greetings, praise, and the crowning of the Juneteenth King and Queen.
The celebration continues on Saturday, June 19 with a parade on Hall Street at 10 a.m. Lunch will take place at noon, and empowerment sessions featuring Dr. Felisa Cooper at the Elderite Community Center lawn beginning at 1 p.m.
Entertainment will begin Saturday afternoon with DJ Earthquake and a live performance from Ms. Yanni. The Sandersville Line Dancers will also perform.
Worship services will take place on Sunday, June 20 beginning at 11 a.m.
The United States Senate unanimously passed a bill on Tuesday, June 15 to establish Juneteenth as a national holiday. The House voted 415-14 to pass the legislation on Wednesday, June 16. President Joe Biden signed the bill into law on Thursday, June 17, to establish the federal holiday. The Juneteenth National Independence Day will become the nation’s twelfth federal holiday.
