The 19th annual Juneteenth Celebration will take place Saturday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. at Kelsey Scott Park, 1920 Old Wilkesboro Road. The event is free.
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. This year’s theme is “A Celebration of Family and Friends.” Proceeds from the event are used for a back-to-school supply giveaway.
This year’s activities include the first “Juneteenth Apollo” contest. There will be three competition categories: Apollo kids, Apollo teens and Apollo adults.
Again this year there will be the customary car show, horseshoes, one-on-one basketball contest, food, fun, fellowship and a variety of service and merchandise vendors.
Jill Burch, one of the event’s organizers, said she received a call from the Rev. Ronald Myers, chairman of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, regarding his request to Congress to support legislation establishing Juneteenth Independence Day as a National Day of Observance. Juneteenth is recognized in 42 states. North Carolina is the 27th state to observe the holiday.
The special Apollo Guest is the rap group, SSSven, of Richmond, Va., and the gospel program featured guest is Timika Peterson and the Chosen Few & Stereo. Peterson is the daughter of Herman and the late Linda Wood Peterson, of Kiddie Land day care. Timika Peterson recently recorded a segment with BETs Bobby Jones Gospel television program that will be featured in July.
Juneteenth is sponsored by the Vashti Chapter No. 122 Order of Eastern Star, 615 West Kerr St.