May 26

May 26 Lexington’s Juneteenth Celebration to focus on history, culture and art

Arts & Entertainment, Culture, Community Events

{Contributed photos/Davidson Local}

From a historic tour of one of Lexington’s most prominent Black communities to music, food and festivities, organizers say this year’s Juneteenth celebration has something for everyone to enjoy.

On Saturday, June 18th, Anything for Our Youth Group, Inc, in collaboration with City of Lexington Utilities, Davidson Local will host the event. Admission is free to the public. Food and craft vendors will have select items for sale. Anything for Our Youth Group founder and organizer Tina Royal is hopeful this event will help unite members of the Davidson County community. “We are bringing unity in our community,” explained Royal. “Bringing everybody together to educate, celebrate and partake in food celebration, vendors and music.” Nonprofit organizations, civic groups, clubs, fraternities, sororities, church groups and other organizations are to come out and join this community event by setting up tables and sharing information about their organizations.

The History Walking Tour will commence at 2:30 p.m. Walk attendees will gather at the intersection of Conner Street and MLK Blvd. The Historic walking tour will continue through the neighborhood to the 4th Street Park, 412 E. Fourth St. Those not participating in the walk can gather for food trucks, vendors, music, children’s activities and more at 3pm. Admission is free.

Juneteenth is a nationwide celebration in commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th is considered the African American Emancipation Day.

The History Walking Tour will be led by Tyrone Terry, a local civil rights advocate who was shot by Charles Hedrick in a racially-motivated incident in Uptown Lexington in 1965. Terry, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, still bears the bullet meant to bring harm.

His tour will feature a slave memorial and cemetery. But Terry said the tour will include much more - “facts about different entrepreneurs, education who built east Lexington.” Terry recalls, “There were so many black entrepreneurs, barbers, beauticians, store owners, restaurants, daycares and funeral homes.” The tour ends at the site of the former Dunbar Elementary school. Terry says education is essential, therefore, the tour will focus on emphasizing education and achievement.