Observances of what is considered the true end of slavery are scheduled across the area in honor of Juneteenth.
Juneteenth is short for June 19, the date in 1865 when U.S. Army troops moving into Texas issued an order emancipating all slaves in the Lone Star State. Texas was the last Confederate state occupied by Northern troops at the end of the War Between the States. While Juneteenth was observed by state and local governments across the country, Pres. Joe Biden declared it a federal holiday in 2021.
A number of events are set for Columbus County for the holiday.
The Miss Juneteenth pageant will be June 16 at 6 p.m. at Brown Street Station in Chadbourn.
June 17 will be the parade at 10 a.m. through downtown Whiteville, with a family lunch on the grounds of the Museum of Natural Science.
On June 19 there will be a festival with food, dancing, music, games and vendors at the county fairgrounds. The festival will have bouncy houses, music, dancing, games, bingo, a spades tournament and more. Vendors are still being accepted for the event. The festival is from noon until 6 p.m.
In Bladen County, community events will be held daily at 9 a.m. the Mount Olive community center. Other events will be held on June 17 at Mount Zion AME Church at 807 MLK Drive, Elizabethtown. Recreational activities, food giveaways, and other events take place at Mt. Zion from 2-5 p.m.
At 6 p.m., the Paul R., Brown Building will host a scholarship ceremony.
On June 19 will be the parade on MLK at 11 a.m. For more information, call Rev. Fletcher Collins (910) 872-3451 or (910) 391-6009.
