Juneteenth Brings Family-Fun Festivities to Downtown Douglasville

City of Douglasville

Music, art, food, stories, and fun will be among many activities for all cultures to enjoy at the 2014 Black Education Historical Exhibit (BEHE) Juneteenth Celebration.

The two-day event held June 13 and 14, celebrates African-American achievements and the ending of slavery in the United States, which officially took place June 19, 1865—two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to free all slaves.

“Juneteenth is a significant moment in African-American and U.S. history, and gives all citizens the opportunity to come together and celebrate the freedoms that make this nation great,” said BEHE board member Frankie Mullins-Morris.

To kick off the celebration, an exclusive reception will be held Friday, June 13 on O’Neal Plaza in appreciation of sponsors and other special guests. A free Jazz concert will also take place on the plaza that evening for the public and reception attendees to enjoy. BEHE’s Juneteenth Celebration will continue Saturday, June 14 with a family-fun festival that is free and open to the public to attend. The festival will take place on O’Neal Plaza with select activities held at the Douglasville Conference Center and the BEHE museum located at the Old Douglas County Courthouse in downtown Douglasville.

“The entertainment portion of the festival is always a crowd pleaser! We are excited to have special performances by the Rocky Ford Baptist Church choir and trumpeter Milkshake Mayfield,” said Juneteenth board chair and City Councilman Samuel Davis.

BEHE is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with its base of operations located in downtown Douglasville.

“Our mission is to tell our story through visual and tangible authentication as it relates to the history of Douglas County African-Americans,” said BEHE board president Douglas Smith. BEHE topics highlight education, spirituality, ethics, philanthropy, accomplishments, and social evolution. “Additionally, we offer an opportunity for self-reflection and inspiration that promotes community awareness of our heritage,” adds Smith.

Juneteenth is the largest event held by BEHE that promotes awareness for the organization and African-American history. For event details, or to become a 2014 Juneteenth vendor or sponsor, call 770-947-5920. The Douglasville Juneteenth celebration is hosted by BEHE and is supported in part by the City of Douglasville and Douglas County Government. The 2014 Juneteenth board is chaired by City Councilman Samuel Davis and co-chaired by Councilwoman LaShun Burr-Danley.