County to celebrate Juneteenth all weekend long
Jun. 16—Several events are being hosted throughout Robeson County to commemorate the federal Juneteenth holiday.
Juneteenth combines the words June and nineteenth, for it was on June 19, 1865, that federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and declared that all enslaved persons in the state were free. This came two years after Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation, which did not actually free all of the enslaved persons in the country right away.
LUMBERTON
Events throughout Lumberton have already kicked off but more are scheduled all weekend long.
On Friday, festivities will begin at 10 a.m. with a Career Fair and Black Vendor Expo at the African Cultural Center on 123 W. Third Street in Lumberton. The event will run until 3 p.m. and offer attendees the chance to meet with local Black-owned businesses, learn about county resources and connect with potential job opportunities.
Later at noon a free film screening and community discussion focussing on the Leandro case, where school districts in five counties, including Robeson, sued the state, claiming children were not receiving the same level of educational opportunities as students in higher-income counties.
The event will be held at the Lumber River Baptist Association, at 155 Plainview Drive in Lumberton.
Also Friday, the Parkview Activity Center will hold a presentation from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. entitled "The Way We Were" which reminisces on the history of African Americans.
The day will end with a Community Hero Celebration gala from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Osterneck Auditorium, located at 102 N. Elm St. in Lumberton. Nominees for the Community Hero Award include Tony Melvin, Wixie Stephens, Rev. E B Turner and Chris Guions.
Tickets are $25 and are available for purchase at Eventbrite. Search for the Lumberton Community Hero Celebration.
Saturday
The Juneteenth Jubilee Parade will kick off Saturday's events. The parade, beginning at 11 a.m., will extend from Inman Street to Marion Road in Lumberton. Martine Luther King Jr. Drive will be blocked off for the parade procession.
About 15 units are expected in the parade including elected officials, the Changing Lanes car club, sororities and Little Miss Juneteenth Callie Regan.
Immediately following the parade, is a Pop-up Shop and Community Engagement Fair outside of W.H. Knuckles Elementary School. At the same location, at 5 p.m., a Jazz concert will be held.
Another event planned on Saturday is the Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom Cookout, which will take place from noon to 4 p.m. at 704 Wren St. in Lumberton. The event will include free food, music, vendors, guest speakers and a baking contest.
The Sandy Grove Baptist Church will host a Family Fun Day Saturday at 4 p.m. The event will include, face painting, bounce houses, crafts and more.
Sunday
A Senior Brunch on the Lumberton Downtown Plaza will hold Sunday's events. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., senior citizens will be served a free brunch catered by RoseGlow.
Following the brunch is a Gospel Music Festival at the Lumberton Downtown Plaza from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
RED SPRINGS
A Scholarship Golf Tournament will head off Friday's Juneteenth Celebration in Red Springs. The tournament will begin at 1 p.m. at the Scothurst Golf Course in Lumber Bridge.
Friday evening a Motown Sip-in-Paint will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Access Pointe Event venue on 117 Main street. The cost to participate is $40.
Saturday
Saturday's festivities will be with a 5k Fun Run/Walk beginning at 8 a.m. The run will begin at the corner of fourth and Phillips Avenue, continue through the historic streets of Red Springs, and end at Peterson Elementary School. Participants can bring their bikes, strollers, skateboards and scooters.
The Juneteenth Family Friendly Celebration will be the central event that will run from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Peterson Elementary School. The event will include with vendors, entertainment, a cook-off, amusement rides, and competitions.
At 2 p.m., the Juneteenth Parade will launch at the old Food Lion shopping center on Fourth Avenue.
A 9 p.m. fireworks show will end the day's festivities at the Tom Cope Park, at 119 Graham St.
Sunday
On Sunday, the Community Worship Service will be held at the Jones Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, at 307 Phillips Avenue. A Gospel Song and Dance will follow at 3 p.m. at Red Springs Middle School.
For the full schedule of events, visit https://juneteenthrobco.com.
MAXTON
The Town of Maxton will begin its celebration Friday with a Pageant at 7 p.m. at the R.B. Dean Townsend school.
Saturday
On Saturday, a parade will kick off the day, beginning at R.B. Dean. Following is a Juneteenth Festival at Beachum Park that will include food, fellowship, vendors and live entertainment.
Tomeka Sinclair can be reached at tsinclair@robesonian.com or 910-416-5865.
