The Sullivan County NAACP will be holding its annual Juneteenth festival in Hanoffee Park. The free event will take place from noon to 4pm featuring live music, vendors, keynote speakers, and fun activities for kids.
Juneteenth is a celebration marking the day the Union troops finally reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas to deliver the news of their freedom. Juneteenth occurred two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was officially signed into law. The day is now recognized as a federal holiday.
“[This holiday] is a reminder to me of why I continue to do what I do,” said Star Torbert, the Chairwoman of Sullivan County’s NAACP.
The Sullivan County NAACP’s annual festival grows larger with each passing year, highlighting the work of many Black leaders and artists in the county. In addition to live music performances and speeches, there will be a live artist painting throughout the day.
Torbert is looking forward to seeing the community come together, meet new people, and experience local art. She also emphasized that this event is for everyone in the community.
“We are coming together, we are holding our hands together… there is power in numbers,” Torbert said.