NATCHITOCHES, La. (KALB) - The City of Natchitoches is set to host its annual Juneteenth Festival on Saturday, June 21, featuring a full day of family-friendly events.The celebration will begin in the morning at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, featuring a variety of sports and community activities. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., attendees can enjoy a celebrity basketball game, an alumni matchup between Natchitoches Central High School and Lakeview, a fraternity game and a first responders game. Additionally,...
NATCHITOCHES, La. (KALB) - The City of Natchitoches is set to host its annual Juneteenth Festival on Saturday, June 21, featuring a full day of family-friendly events.
The celebration will begin in the morning at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, featuring a variety of sports and community activities. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., attendees can enjoy a celebrity basketball game, an alumni matchup between Natchitoches Central High School and Lakeview, a fraternity game and a first responders game. Additionally, there will be dance showcases, a three-point contest and a health fair.
In the evening, the festivities will move to the Downtown Riverbank from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., featuring live performances by DJ Chris, Tipsey the Band and headliner Chris Ardoin. The night will conclude with a fireworks display, a kids zone, pop-up shops and local food vendors.
Mayor Ronnie Williams, Jr. said that Juneteenth is not solely a celebration for African Americans; it holds significance for all Americans.
“America is about freedom. We’re about liberation. That’s what the whole...coming over here in the 1600s and things like that was about,” he said. “It’s about getting away from religious persecution in Europe. So, America is about freedom. Juneteenth, African Americans certainly celebrate it, but I think all Americans should appreciate and embrace Juneteenth.”
All events are free and open to the public. Organizers invite everyone to come out and celebrate freedom, culture and community!
On June 21, the following streets will be closed at 9:15 p.m. in preparation for a 9:45 p.m. fireworks display.
All streets will open upon conclusion of the fireworks display once the Fire Marshal has given the all-clear. In preparation for these events, the Downtown Riverbank will close to vehicular traffic at 6 a.m., and Front Street, from Church Street to St. Denis Street, will be closed to all vehicular traffic beginning at 6 a.m. on June 21.
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