The Cobb County NAACP will celebrate the 154th anniversary of the day when slaves in Texas were informed of their freedom when it hosts its annual Juneteenth Weekend in downtown Marietta.
This year’s festivities will run June 14-16, and includes music, activities for the entire family, a health fair and gospel music at Glover Park on Marietta Square.
Juneteenth, formally known as Emancipation Day, occurred June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers marched into Galveston, Texas, to inform residents that the Civil War was over and enslaved people were free — two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation became official on Jan. 1, 1863.
READ | Southern Cobb cities see greatest growth
The celebration starts at 6 p.m. Friday, June 14 with Johnathan "John Boy" Wright, writer and producer of the hip-hop single "Wobble." Wright will get the crowd moving when he and his group, John Boy and Surround Sound, take the stage.
Saturday, June 15 marks the Juneteenth Festival, which will include dozens of vendors and entertainment and activities for all ages from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Glover Park.
The annual celebration culminates with Gospel Fest, which is set for 1-5 p.m. at the park. Festival goers will be treated to the sounds of Dottie Peoples, an award-winning gospel singer.
You can learn more about the event by visiting its Facebook page or the Cobb NAACP website.
Like Cobb County News Now on Facebook | Follow on Twitter
About the Author
