June 19 is celebrated annually to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States, marked on the day when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the Civil War.

The City will be recognizing the date by holding a flag raising today at noon at the Municipal Center and with a wonderful festival this Saturday, June 21 at Granville Gude Park from 3 to 7 p.m. – There’ll be live music, cultural exhibitions, amazing vendors, kids activities, and more. I went last year with my then-four-year-old and he really had a great time on a moon bounce, got coloring pages with Juneteenth themed images and a crayon box, and there was lots of great food!

So come on out and help celebrate this important day in American history and meet neighbors from around Laurel doing the same! 😀