- Mosaic Templars Cultural Center
- The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center hosts a Juneteenth celebration Saturday starting at noon.
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
Noon. Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. Free.
Juneteenth, which commemorates the announcement of the end of slavery in Texas, is now a state holiday or observance in 41 states, including Arkansas. Though the Emancipation Proclamation became official in 1863, it wasn’t until 1865 that the news reached Texas and Gen. Gordon Granger began enforcement of emancipation on June 19. The holiday was typically observed at churches and in rural areas — because of segregation — and usually entailed barbecues, games, rodeos, fishing and prayer services, according to Juneteenth.com.
The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center will celebrate the holiday with activities for kids, food vendors, live entertainment, a rock climbing wall and more, from noon to 7 p.m. The celebration includes live music from Nicky Parrish, Afrodesia with Tim Anthony, Essie the Blues Lady, The Girls & Boys Choir of Little Rock, Butterfly and Irie Soul, Billy Jones Bluez, The Gloryland Pastors Choir and Foreign Tongues poetry group.
At 1:30 p.m., there will be a short play about the importance of celebrating Juneteenth.