Juneteenth celebration set for Riverfront this weekend

Once again, Krewe de Onyx is holding its annual Juneteenth celebration with festivities at the Orange Riverfront on Saturday, June 15, and Sunday, June 16. Gates will be open from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. both days and admission is free.

Live music will be provided by Perry Richard, Jeremey Fruge, Lil Nate, and Roi Anthony. Local DJ Shocker Shawn will provide music during the interludes.

Juneteenth is officially June 19, the festival is being held on the weekend before as a way for families, friends, and the community to come together to visit, eat, and dance.

The special date began in Texas and is now a national holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the United States of America.

The National Museum of African American Culture, operated by the Smithsonian, reports that President Abraham Lincoln had signed a presidential decree to free all the slaves in the Confederate States that were involved in rebellion against the U.S. That decree went into effect on January 1, 1863. However, the U.S. did not have control over the Confederate States at the time.

When the Civil War ended in April 1865 with the Confederate States surrendering to the U.S., Union troops issued the freedom decrees. Texas was the most western of the Confederate States. Union troops numbering 2,000 landed at Galveston Island on June 19, 1865. The read the decree to free an estimated 250,000 enslaved people in Texas, according to the National Museum of African American Culture.

The Orange Juneteenth will be at the Riverfront Pavilion along the Sabine River off Simmons Drive. People are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets to relax and enjoy the events. No alcohol will be allowed, along with no pets and no coolers.

Food trucks will be selling a variety of food, drinks, and snacks, plus other vendors will be set up. The vendors will include Suga's Sugar; Sweet's, Treats, & More 409 Smart Shoppers Fashions by L&B and Meme; Mina's Menu; Safe T Keys; Tougher Dreamer; and Ken's Treats.

Only vendors will be allowed to have barbecue pits and outdoor cooking, and only registered vendors will be allowed.

Besides Krewe de Onyx, the Orange Juneteenth is also sponsored by the convention and visitors bureaus of the city of Orange and Orange County, along with local businesses and industry.