Rachael RileyFayetteville Observer
The Cumberland County area is gearing up to celebrate Juneteenth.
Also known as Freedom Day or Juneteenth Independence Day, June 19 became a federal holiday in 2021 to commemorate the day in 1865 that Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that enslaved Black people were free, according to the National Museum of African American History and presidential proclamation. The announcement came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, decreeing all enslaved people free.
The day honors the work of Black leaders, activists and abolitionists and celebrates Black culture and community.
Here's a look at the local celebrations.
Cool Spring Downtown District, Fayetteville Juneteenth Jubilee
The city of Fayetteville and the Cool Spring Downtown District hosts its 3rd Annual Juneteenth Jubilee, with the theme: Their Wildest Dreams from 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Festival Park, 335 Ray Ave.
The day features national headliners, local performance acts, food trucks, vendors, artisans, history, games and other entertainment, according to a news release.
In partnership with local historians from Fayetteville State University, the Can-Do Coldwell trolley offers an educational tour on the history of Juneteenth and Fayetteville Black history.
This year’s headlining musical performance is two-time Grammy-nominated artist, Pierce Freelon, who blends hip-hop, electronic jazz and soul music.
The marquee headliner is Skip Marley, grandson of reggae singer Bob Marley and a Grammy nominee.
Skip Marley blends contemporary pop, rap and rock music and is known for hits like “Cry to Me.” He was featured in Katy Perry’s hit “Chained to the Rhythm,” H.E.R.’s hit ”Slow Down” and collaborated with Rick Ross and Ari Lennox on “Make Me Feel.”
Run
The Fayetteville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. hosts a Juneteenth Celebration 5K, which starts at 7:30 a.m. Saturday near downtown at 301 N. Cool Spring St. For more information about the run, which is part of the Cool Spring Downtown District's Juneteenth celebrations, visit facebook.com/events/443527788629335.
Black Art Crawl and other Black Artist Forward events
During the Juneteenth Jubilee, Black Artist Forward hosts a Black Art Crawl that starts Friday and continues through July 28.
Events are free with reservation at blackartistforward.com and include:
• The Exhibit | Opening Reception from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Dirty Whiskey, 5431 Corporation Drive in Hope Mills.
•Gallery 13 exhibition reception from 6-8 p.m. Friday at 312 Hay St.
• An opening reception for the exhibit: Sacred: Venerating our Ancestors, from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Garnet Skull, 120 Hay St.
The Juneteenth Celebration
Ayana Washington, founder of Book Black Women; Cerina Johnson, founder of No Longer Bound Entertainment; and Spring Lake Mayor Kia Anthony, founder of Circa 1865, partner for a three-part Juneteenth celebration.
• The stage production of “400 Years: The Evolution of Black America,” at 7:30 p.m. June 19 at Fayetteville State University's Seabrook Auditorium on Martin Luther King Drive. Written by Washington and Johnson, the performance features choreography by FSU dance professor Avis Hatcher-Puzzo and poetry by El'Jae Bowens, founder of Poetry N Motion LLC, and Isaiah Ellsberry, founder of Poetic Zae. General admission tickets are $20, and VIP tickets are $35. Visit facebook.com/events/977329607068069 for more information.
• A Freedom Block Party is 4-9 p.m. June 22 Maxwell Street downtown and features live music, food trucks and community partners. General admission is free, and VIP lounge tickets are $35 and include access to Kress Open Space, a photo area, a private bar and light refreshments. Visit facebook.com/events/849405883676902 for more information.
• A Heritage Brunch with keynote speaker state Sen. Val Applewhite is 11 a.m.-2 p.m. June 23 at Carver's Creek State Park, 2505 Long Valley Road in Spring Lake. Tickets are $45. Visit facebook.com/events/438609615380918 for more information.
Tickets for all three events can be purchased at eventbrite.com/e/the-juneteenth-celebration-tickets-883546329857.
Fashion show
A Silver Lining Fashion Show by designer Zmear Kalle is 6-8 p.m. June 22 at Marcus Doss Salon, 2203 Southern Ave.
Tickets start at $20. Visit zmearkalle.ticketleap.com/silver-lining for more information.
PHOTOS: Fayetteville celebrates the second annual Juneteenth Jubilee
NC History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction
The NC History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction commemorates the holiday with guest speaker Leesa Jones for its Hari Jones Memorial Lecture at 7 p.m. Monday at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, 1217 Murchison Road.
Jones is cofounder and executive director of the Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum in Washington, North Carolina, and a local historian in eastern North Carolina.
She is speaking in conjunction with the Juneteenth Speakers’ Bureau of the NC African American Heritage Commission.
A news release states the program will “go way beyond a lecture,” and feature singing, dancing and exhibits. Admission is free. Visit nccivilwarcenter.org for more information.
Vocal4Local event
Vocal4Local hosts a men’s health and wellness event to commemorate Juneteenth and Father’s Day and raise awareness about prostate cancer in Black men.
• A 9-hole golf event is 9 a.m. Friday at Stryker Golf Course, 1219 Bragg Blvd. Visit vocal4local.net/614 for more information.
• A men’s health and wealth fair is 9 a.m. Saturday in the Cliffdale Church’s community building, 6427 Cliffdale Road. The fair features health stations, a men’s chat, special guest speakers and vendors, food, children’s entertainment and a community yard sale. Visit vocal4local.com/mens-health-wealth-fair-p54-29.htm for more information.
Hope Mills Juneteenth event
The town of Hope Mills hosts a Juneteenth Liberty & Legacy Celebration from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday at Dirt Bag Ales, at 5435 Corporation Drive in Hope Mills.
Live music, food trucks and vendors will be on site. Visit facebook.com/events/1494417587782155 for more information.
Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.
