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Here’s where to find Juneteenth celebrations in New Orleans [1]

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Date: 2024-06-18  

This year, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has declared Juneteenth a state holiday, as did his predecessor John Bel Edwards in prior years. Although the holiday has been federally recognized since 2021, the road to get governments to recognize Juneteenth was a long one, involving decades of advocacy.

June 19, 1865 was the historic day when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas received news of their emancipation. John Mosley is a co-founder of National Juneteenth Observance Foundation. He began organizing events to celebrate Juneteenth in New Orleans starting in the 1990s, shortly after learning about the holiday’s historical context. According to Mosley, these early events had low turnout, but popularity has increased after the official recognition of Juneteenth as a national holiday,

“[Current turnout] is what I dreamed of all those years I was supporting and doing Juneteenth,” Mosley said.

Leon A. Waters, board chairperson of the Louisiana Museum of African American History, said it is important to remember that Black soldiers, including those who were formerly enslaved, were integral in emancipating the South.

Some of those Black soldiers may have come from New Orleans, which was captured by the Union army in 1862.

In Louisiana, slavery was abolished on May 11, 1864. New Orleans erupted with celebration that entire summer, with a large gathering in Congo Square exactly one month after the law abolishing slavery passed.

Although the dates for celebrations may have changed, the goals of these events certainly have not. These festivities honor history and commemorate freedom in the same spot they did 160 years ago — Congo Square.

Take a look at what’s happening in the New Orleans area this Wednesday:

New Orleans Juneteenth Festival

When: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Where: Congo Square, 701 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Cost: Free

Music of A Movement: A Symphonic Anthology

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., New Orleans, 70116

Cost: $25 ticket

Juneteenth Variety Show

When: 9 p.m. – 10:15 pm (Entry at 8:30 pm)

Where: Comedy House New Orleans, 609-610 Fulton St New Orleans, LA 70130

Cost: $20 ticket

2nd Annual “HOPE” Juneteenth Splash Day Celebration

When: 12 – 4 p.m.

Where: Behrman Memorial Park, 2529 General Meyer Avenue New Orleans, LA 70114

Cost: Free

Juneteenth Mentor Recruitment Mixer

When: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Where: Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits 600 Poland Ave New Orleans, LA 70117

Cost: Free

Afro Beats Gala

When: 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Where: Queen Mama Alaina’s Venue, 5961 Bullard Avenue #unit 5, New Orleans, LA 70128

Cost: $25

Juneteenth Community Crawl

When: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Where: 1500 Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70116

Cost: Free

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[1] Url: https://veritenews.org/2024/06/18/heres-where-to-find-juneteenth-celebrations-in-new-orleans/

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