An upcoming event in downtown Mount Airy will feature enjoyable activities as most such gatherings do, while also recognizing an important part of American history in a thoughtful manner.
The day-long Juneteeth Celebration on June 22 in the Market Street Arts and Entertainment District is planned in conjunction with an annual holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.
It was on June 19, 1865 when a declaration came which abolished the practice of slavery in Texas — the most-remote of the slave-holding states — in the wake of the Confederacy’s collapse.
The name “Juneteenth” is a merger of the month and date involved.
Fast-forwarding to 2024, organizers of the downtown observance on June 22 will mark that occasion with an array of activities “filled with joy, unity and cultural significance,” according to an announcement from Lenise Lynch of the local Juneteenth Celebration Committee.
“Mount Airy is gearing up for an unforgettable celebration.”
The fourth-annual event on Market Street is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Everyone is invited to join in the festivities, to include live music, captivating dance performances, DJ entertainment, special speakers, local artisan vendors, food trucks and much more, organizers say.
Two musical groups — Aquarius Moon and The GMCK Band — will perform at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively, with emcee and DJ Eric Spencer also part of the talent lineup.
“We are thrilled to invite the entire community to come together and commemorate Juneteenth,” Lynch said in a statement.
“This annual event serves as a reminder of our history and the ongoing journey toward equality and justice for all,” she added.
“Through celebration and reflection, we hope to foster greater understanding and appreciation of our diverse heritage.”
Morgan Johnson, the executive director of Mount Airy Downtown Inc., which coordinates activities in the central business district — who also serves on the Juneteenth Celebration Committee — said the previous Juneteenth events here have been well-received.
This includes the target audience of local African Americans, and citizens in general who have come to support the spirit involved.
“There’s definitely been a mix of people,” Johnson said Wednesday. “I feel like there’s been a really good crowd.”
While Juneteenth officially refers to the June 19 date, the holiday typically offers some scheduling flexibility.
Holding the Market Street event on a Saturday when more people can attend reflects this, as does the fact Elkin will observe Juneteenth on the previous Saturday, June 15.
“We don’t want to compete with them,” said Johnson, who mentioned that organizers of the Mount Airy celebration plan to attend the event in Elkin to drum up interest for the one here.
Kickoff activities
Mount Airy’s Juneteenth festivities will kick off with a preliminary event on Friday, June 21, hosted by the African American Historical and Genealogical Society of Surry County.
It will take place at the Historic Jones School located at 215 Jones School Road, from 1 to 5 p.m.
“Attendees can look forward to a vibrant atmosphere featuring face painting, music and mouthwatering food,” according to the Juneteenth announcement from Lynch and the committee.
In addition to Lynch and Johnson, it includes Dougenna Hill, JoAndrea Galloway and Porshia Hairston.
“To me it was important to have representatives who are being celebrated on the committee,” Johnson said of its makeup including African Americans.
The group is dedicated to organizing events and activities that honor the legacy of Juneteenth and promote unity, freedom and cultural awareness in Mount Airy and surrounding communities.
The Market Street event is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
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