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Three local Juneteenth festival events will be held in the Roanoke-Chowan area on Saturday, June 15.

Juneteenth is a holiday which celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people during the Civil War. On June 19, 1865, Union Army troops in Galveston, TX freed enslaved African Americans, officially carrying out President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation which was made more than two years prior.

Now the anniversary of that event is celebrated each year across the country as a federal holiday.

In Northampton County, Garysburg will be hosting their 17th annual Juneteenth Celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Garysburg Town Center. The theme will be “Black Resilience: Reclaiming our Village.”

The event will feature performances, educational exhibits, food trucks, vendors, games, and more as the community comes together to reflect on history and celebrate freedom.

Garysburg’s event will feature the third annual Juneteenth Barbecue Cook-Off, back by popular demand.

There will also be a panel discussion called “Tap In: Water Talk” featuring experts from regional and state agencies to discuss what’s in our water and what you can do about it.

There will be no vendor fee for this year’s event. Participating food vendors must obtain permits from the Northampton County Health Department. If interested in signing up as a vendor, call 252-536-0101.

For more information and updates about Garysburg’s event, visit “Halifax/Northampton Counties Juneteenth” page on Facebook.

Murfreesboro will host its 4th annual Juneteenth Freedom Day from 12-7 p.m. at Riverside Park. The Hertford County African American History Coalition is organizing the event.

The African American history program will begin at 1:30 p.m., featuring a libation ceremony and the playing of TAPS to honor local United States Colored Troops. Also taking part will be Trinette Vaughan Sharpe, who will read poetry, and Jackie Ruffin Pittman, who will portray Hannah Crafts, American’s first female Black novelist.

Entertainment will be provided by DJ Ronnie P beginning at 12 noon, and Tobias Cortez and his band will take the stage at 5:30 p.m. Tobias is a native of Como and is a former American Idol contestant in 2021.

Murfreesboro’s event will also host vendors offering food, crafts, merchandise, and educational information.

For more information on sponsorship or vendor opportunities, email cultivatornc@gmail.com, call 252-319-6168, or contact any Coalition member.

In case of rain, Murfreesboro’s festival will be moved to June 22.

The Concerned Citizens of Hertford and Bertie Counties will hold their 2nd annual Juneteenth event Saturday on the grounds at the R.L. Vann Resource Center, 415 Holloman Avenue, Ahoskie.

The celebration will kickoff with a parade at 9:30 a.m. beginning at the intersection near Hunter’s Funeral Home and leading to the R.L. Vann grounds. Line-up begins at 9 a.m.

The event’s opening ceremony will be held at 10 a.m.

Entertainment will be provided throughout the day by a variety of local musicians.

The Ahoskie event will host activities for all ages, including games, arts & crafts, bingo, bounce houses, car show, dance groups, and more. There will also be a baking contest, with a $10 entrant fee. Three prizes will be given to the contest winners.

There will be several vendors with a wide range of items for sale as well. The vendor fee is $25 for craft vendors, and $50 for food vendors. If you are a food vendor that is not a food truck, you must have certification from the health department.

For more information about Ahoskie’s event, contact Barbara Sessoms at 252-332-9701 or Charlie Morris at 252-862-5517.

Everyone is invited to enjoy a day of fun and fellowship and freedom.