Juneteenth is Wednesday. Here are local weekend events that will celebrate the holiday
Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, is Wednesday, June 19.
Here are some local and regional Juneteenth activities coming up this weekend:
Beaufort
▪ Project Freedom 326 will hold a Juneteenth Unity Parade at 2 p.m. Sunday in Beaufort to showcase the diversity, neighborhoods, businesses and organizations across the city. Beaufort City Councilman Mitchell will serve as grand marshal for the parade, which will take the traditional downtown route. A cookout at Washington Street Park will follow. Project Freedom 326 is a group of Gullah community leaders, parents and small business owners championing the Juneteenth celebration.
▪ The Robert Smalls Men & Women of Action will host the 4th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Day 3-8 p.m. Saturday at 634 Campground Road in Yemassee. This will be a day of cultural performances, historical exhibits, and community dialogues.
▪ A Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom is planned from noon to p.m., Saturday at Penn Center on St. Helena Island. Performances, kids’ activities, arts and crafts and food vendors are planned.
City of Beaufort offices will be closed on Monday because of the federal holiday.
Bluffton
Bluffton MLK Observance Committee is hosting the 9th annual Juneteenth Festival.
Three days of events will begin on Friday with the 3rd Annual Black Food Truck Friday Festival from 5 to 10 p.m., at Buckwalter Commerce Park, 25 Buckwalter Place Blvd. Along with multiple Black-owned food trucks and vendors, the free festival is themed as the “R&B Rodeo Edition,” so guests can expect live entertainment from horses and cowboys as well.
On Saturday, the Burnt Church Distillery will host another free event from 4 to 10 p.m. Guests can expect more vendors, live entertainment from local artists, a drum circle and Gullah storytelling. Free transit is provided for this event. Shuttles will begin at 3:30 p.m. from Red Cedar Elementary School, 10 Box Elder St.
Finally, the festival will wrap up with a ticketed event on Sunday with the 4th Annual R&B & Jazz Brunch. Also at Burnt Church Distillery, the brunch will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The brunch will feature a buffet, mimosa and dessert bars. Additional drinks like beer, cocktails and wine will be sold separately from the ticket. The featured band will be Luv Soundz Band from Columbia, SC.
Tickets cost $75 in advance and $100 on the day of. Day of tickets are only available until seating is full.
Hilton Head Island
Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park will host a drum circle that is free to the public 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday.
The 10th Annual Juneteenth Celebration will take place at Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday. There will be food, music and vendors, and tickets can be purchased for $10 through the website.
