Jones County to hold inaugural Juneteenth celebration at civic center

Tina Adkins, Sun Journal
·2 min read
Pictured are Beverly Hines, Eileen Dove and Chairman Roger Crouell, chairman of the Jones County Juneteenth Celebration set for June 18.
Pictured are Beverly Hines, Eileen Dove and Chairman Roger Crouell, chairman of the Jones County Juneteenth Celebration set for June 18.

Residents of Jones County in partnership with Jones County Community Hope Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Trenton, have banded together to bring to their community the town's first-ever Juneteenth celebration.

Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 18, at the Jones County Civic Center, 832 N.C. Hwy. 58, Trenton.  

Themed, Engage, Educate, Empower, the event is open to everyone of all races and ages.

Roger Crouell, committee chairman, said he hopes the celebration will bring together different races to form a more cohesive racial environment throughout the county.

"We want to inform and educate residents about the Juneteenth holiday and the historical significance of it," he said. "We would also like to present various forms of art for the enjoyment and cultural enrichment of the residents of Jones County." 

Some of the day's events and offerings include a health equity room with information and freebies such as vaccination opportunities, blood donation and personal protective equipment distribution.

There will be a car, motorcycle and three-wheeler show with a People's Choice Award to be presented.

There will be vendors including food trucks, funnel cakes, face painting, coloring contest and much more.

More: June events: Juneteenth, live music and raft race on list of things to do this month

Terrence T. Walker, of Heavy Energy University, will serve as master of ceremonies, and music will be provided by DJ WagEnEm of Jacksonville. Special guests are Wanda Barnes and jazz performer Dick Knight. Local talented community members will also be performing.

Artist Michael Parker will be on-site drawing caricatures for attendees. Other events planned include a parade of suits to demonstrate an array of professional black men with one participant in the parade to win a gift basket with items worth over $100.

There will be bounce houses and games for the kids.

The Jones County Civic Center will be the site of the county's inaugural Juneteenth Celebration and Festival on June 18.
The Jones County Civic Center will be the site of the county's inaugural Juneteenth Celebration and Festival on June 18.

The festival started as a vision by Beverly Hines, secretary of Jones County Community Hope.

"After the Juneteenth holiday was established last year, I wanted to do something here in Jones County to honor the historic day," she said. "I want Jones County to be known for having a Juneteenth festival and I wanted our first one to be big and great so people can come from all over the state to celebrate."

Jones County Community Hope applied for and was awarded a grant through the  North Carolina Arts Council to help present the festival.

This event has two gold sponsors in addition to the Arts Council, The Jones County Arts Council and Coastal Community Action.

Committee members are Roger Crouell, Beverly Hines, Felicia Brinkley, Darlene Parker, Jackie Cook, Eileen Dove, Shivon Cannon, Angela Paige Jones, Sam Ervin, Felicia Pretty and Sandra Ward. You may contact any committee member for more information.

If you would like to participate or become a sponsor, contact Roger Crouell at 210-793-4446 or Beverly Hines at 252-670-7093

This article originally appeared on Sun Journal: Jones County to host inaugural Juneteenth Celebration and Festival