Businesses Plan Local Juneteenth Celebrations
President Joe Biden signed a bill establishing Juneteenth, the date marking the end of slavery in the United States, as a federal holiday, and locally many organizations are celebrating as well.
The day, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, discovered President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation had freed them 2½ years earlier.
Many local churches, businesses and organizations have celebrations planned throughout the weekend.
Walt & Shirley’s Bar and Grill
From 4 p.m. to midnight Thursday, 17th Street Crab House will be pairing up with the team from Walt & Shirley’s Bar and Grill for a Juneteenth cookout. The event, held at Walt & Shirley’s Bar and Grill, 2448 N. Washington St., will show off great food from both restaurants as well as drink specials, a live DJ and more.
Walt & Shirley’s owner Breshonna Fletcher said the event offered up a new chance for two distinct restaurants to team up together and serve the community some of their incredible offerings.
The 17th Street Crab House will be there with their signature seafood, and Walt & Shirley’s will bring the fried chicken, catfish, ribeye, mac and cheese, greens, baked beans, potato salad, and the legendary Shirley burgers -- as well as the lounge’s famous wine slushies.
Second Annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration
The Kokomo Housing Authority and Carver Community Center are presenting the 2nd annual Juneteenth Freedom Day from 2-8 p.m. Saturday.
The parking lots at Garden Square and Inventrek — at 800 E. Hoffer St. — will be alive with music, dancing and more, all in celebration of Juneteenth.
There will be music from DJ Pugh and DJ Nuttz, urban line dancing from Tina Robinson, music from Native Son and Deray Boyd, a Harriet Tubman performance from Doris Tudor and children’s directed painting designed by JC Barnett.
There will be food, vendors and more.
Have an event you would like listed? Email us at hello@thekokomopost.com.
