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.
All throughout the month of June, 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:
June 2nd: 4th Annual Juneteenth Community Read & Book Discussion-Kin at 6pm at Sherrills Ford Branch Library
June 4th: Crafted Learning: Clack Fans at 6pm at Ridgeview Branch Library
June 6th: Royal D’Lite Steppaz! Line Dancing at 3:30pm at Ridgeview Branch Library
June 6th: Hickory NAACP Freedom Unity Dance at 6pm at the Salt Block Keiser Center
June 8th: Let’s Talk: Juneteenth with NAACP Hickory at 6pm at Patrick Beaver Memorial Library
June 9th: 4th Annual Juneteenth Community Read & Book Discussion-Kin at 6pm at Maiden Branch Library
June 9th: Let’s Talk: Juneteenth with NAACP Hickory at 6pm at Ridgeview Branch Library
June 11th: 4th Annual Juneteenth Community Read & Book Discussion-Kin at 6pm at Newton Main Library
June 15th: 4th Annual Juneteenth Community Read & Book Discussion-Kin at 6pm at Southwest Branch Library
June 18th: History and Storytelling Event with Julian Gooding at 5pm at Newton Main Library
June 18th: Freedom Day Storytime at 6pm at Ridgeview Branch Library
June 19th: Motown Feel the Rhythm Conover Juneteenth- Live Music by N-Spire from 6pm- 10pm at Conover City Park
June 20th: Juneteenth Praise and Worship Celebration from 12pm-3pm at Brown Penn Recreation Center
June 20th: Juneteenth Festival: Stronger Together! -Live music by Baby Black Band and Aquarius Moon & Friendz from 3pm-8pm at Lenoir Rhyne University-Rhyne Building
June 22nd: 4th Annual Juneteenth Community Read & Book Discussion-Kin at 6pm at St. Stephens Branch Library
June 26th: Jive After Five Juneteenth- Live music by Chairmen of the Board from 5:30pm-9pm at Maiden Town Hall
For more information, and to see the full details of Juneteenth events, sponsors, and partnerships, please visit: bit.ly/catawbajuneteenth
