Catawba County – Juneteenth (short for June Nineteenth) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to proclaim that all enslaved people were free. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is the country’s second Independence Day, officially becoming a federal holiday on June 17, 2021.
From May 19th – June 19th, Catawba County agencies and organizations will commemorate Juneteenth with celebrations, performances, parades, guest speakers, revival, resource fairs, informative programing, and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for empowerment and excellence, a time for community and togetherness.
Join the celebration by participating in Juneteenth events being held across Catawba County, including:
• May 20: Town of Maiden Juneteenth Celebration from 6 – 8:30 pm in Downtown Maiden
• May 20: Carolina Built: Preserving African American History through Story at 2 pm at Drendel Auditorium
• May 27: Town of Catawba Juneteenth Celebration in the Park from 12 – 9 pm at David Hunsucker Park
• May 27: Juneteenth Praise and Worship Celebration from 3 – 5 pm at Brown Penn Recreation Center
• June 3: Foothills Community Housing Fair from 11 am – 2 pm at Ridgeview Recreation Center
• June 6: Juneteenth Movie Series at 2:30 pm at West Hickory Senior Center
• June 10: Soul Line Dancing from 11 am – 12 noon at Ridgeview Branch Library
• June 10: Outdoor Juneteenth Drama at 5 pm at Morning Star First Baptist Church
• June 10: Ridgeview Rec Juneteenth Jam from 6 – 9 pm at Samuel Davis Multipurpose Field
• June 12: African Folktales in the Garden at 3 pm at Main Library in Newton
• June 12: African Folktales in the Garden at 6 pm at Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch Library
• June 13: Juneteenth Movie Series at 2:30 pm at West Hickory Senior Center
• June 14: Juneteenth March Sign Making Program at 6 pm at Main Library in Newton
• June 15: City of Newton Juneteenth Music On Main featuring Chairman of the Board at 6 pm in Downtown Newton
• June 16: Juneteenth Rhythm & Paint at 3 pm at Ridgeview Branch Library
• June 16: An Evening with Charles White at 7 pm at Drendel Auditorium
• June 17: City of Newton Juneteenth Freedom March at 10 am at Old Courthouse in Downtown Newton
• June 17: Juneteenth in Conover Park from 2 – 6 pm at Conover City Park
• June 17: We Are Ridgeview at 2:30 pm at Ridgeview Branch Library
• June 18: Juneteenth Revival at 4 pm at McKenzie Campground
• June 18: Miss Juneteenth Pageant at 6 pm at Drendel Auditorium
• June 19: Freedom Day Storytime from 11 am – 2 pm at Ridgeview Branch Library
For more information, and to see the full details of Juneteenth events, sponsors, and partnerships, please visit: catawbacountync.gov/county-services/library/juneteenth-celebration
