Juneteenth Celebration
Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to proclaim that all enslaved people were free. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is our country’s second independence day and honors the end to slavery in the United States. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday.
From May 19th-June 19th, Catawba County agencies and organizations will commemorate Juneteenth with celebrations, performances, parades, guest speakers, revival, resource fairs, informative programing, and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for empowerment and excellence. It is a time for community and togetherness. Please join in the celebration by participating in the events listed below, click on each tab for event details by date.
Town of Maiden Juneteenth Celebration|11am-4pm
Downtown Maiden
The Town of Maiden kicks off Catawba County's month long Juneteenth celebrations! Bring your family to enjoy local food trucks, vendors, performers and activities for the kids!
Carolina Built: Preserving African American History through Story| 2pm
Drendel Auditorium| 243 3rd Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601
Author Kianna Alexander will be speaking about her book Carolina Built, the story of Josephine N. Leary, and the preservation of African American history & stories. Book sale and signing will occur at the Patrick Beaver Library at 3:30pm.
Juneteenth Praise and Worship Celebration| 3pm-5pm
Brown Penn Recreation Center|735 3rd St. SW, Hickory, NC 28602
Praise and Worship service hosted by the Greater Hickory Ministerial Alliance. The keynote speaker will be Rev. Diane Conley and the Hickory Community Choir will bring their ministry of music to the celebration. After the program a covered dish dinner will be provided by our member churches. All are welcome to join us!
Foothills Community Housing Fair| 11am-2pm
Ridgeview Recreation Center| 115 7th Ave Sw, Hickory, NC 28602
This event showcases leaders across the affordablehousingindustry who are providing the education, resources, and services our neighbors need to build a solid foundation. Join us for a day of promoting access through affordable housing. To learn more visit the Hickory NAACP/Housing fair page. https://hickorynaacp.org/housing-fair-home-page
Registration for exhibitors at the housing fair is currently live! Anyone interested in registering can visit: https://hickorynaacp.org/fair-exhibitor-landing to sign up online. Registration is divided into 2 categories: service providers like non-profits and government agencies, and industry professionals like businesses and for-profit organizations.
Town of Catawba Juneteenth Celebration In the Park| 2pm-6pm
David Hunsucker Park| 3rd Avenue NE, Catawba, NC 28609
Family Fun filled day of food, games and music!
Juneteenth Movie Series| 2:30pm
West Hickory Senior Center| 400 17th St SW, Hickory, NC 28602
Juneteenth themed movie series hosted by Catawba County Council on Aging. Call for more details 828-328-2269
Juneteenth Festival| 6pm-9pm
Samuel Davis Multipurpose Field| 730 3rd St SW, Hickory, NC 28602
Live music, Food trucks, Grills for free food, fish, and a 360 Degree Digital Photo Booth
Soul Line Dancing| 11am-12pm
Ridgeview Branch Library| 706 1st SW, Hickory, NC 28602
Soul Line Dancing Instruction.
Outdoor Juneteenth Drama| 5pm-6pm
Morning Star First Baptist Church|126 4th Ave SW, Hickory, NC 28602
Hosted by the Greater Hickory Ministerial Alliance. Seating will begin at 4:15pm.
African Folktales In the Garden| 3pm and 6pm
3pm-Sherrills Ford Library| 9154 Sherrills Ford Rd, Terrell, NC 28682
6pm-Newton Main Library| 115 West C St, Newton, NC 28658
Bright Star Theater brings a variety of characters from a wide range of cultures in stories that celebrate the various folk tale traditions of the continent of Africa.
Virtual Book Club| 6:30pm
Online via Facebook|St. Stephens Book Club
June's theme is to read a book celebrating Juneteenth. New memebers welcome! To join the Facebook group, make theme suggestions, and read past threads, please visit www.facebook.com/groups/St.StephensBookClub
Juneteenth March Sign Making Program| 6pm
Newton Main Library| 115 West C St, Newton, NC 28658
Come to the library to make your signs for the Juneteenth Freedom March to be held on Saturday, June 17th. The library will provide materials and samples for inspiration- bring your creativity!
City of Newton Juneteenth Music On Main| 6pm
Downtown Newton| 30 N College Ave, Newton, NC 28658
City of Newton will host the Award winning band Chairmen of the Board.
Juneteenth Book Discussion 6pm
Newton Main Library| 115 West C St, Newton, NC 28658
Join us to talk about UNC-CH graduate Nancy Johnson's book The Kindest Lie. The novel explores race, class, identity, and the pursuit of the American dream. Everyone is welcome
Juneteenth Rhythm & Paint| 3pm-4pm
Ridgeview Branch Library| 706 1st SW, Hickory, NC 28602
Juneteenth themed art. Paint supplies provided.
An Evening With Charles White| 7pm (Doors open at 6:15pm)
Drendel Auditorium Salt Block| 243 3rd Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601
This special evening is not to be missed! We begin in the Drendel Auditorium with actor Jordan Randall bringing Charles White to life through the artist’s own words as penned in an essay from 1955. White wrote that music “has remained one of the most important influences on my work.” Tiffany Napier is producing musical interludes highlighting some of the artists who inspired White: Mahalia Jackson, Harry Belafonte and Paul Robeson. The evening continues with viewing of the exhibition Charles White: A Little Higher in the museum’s galleries.
Special thanks to Hickory Community Theatre and Hickory Area Community Choir.
Seating is limited. Doors open at 6:15 PM.
City of Newton Juneteenth Freedom March| 10am
Newton Downtown Courthouse| 30 N College Ave, Newton, NC 28658
In collaberation with the Health In The Community Project, this year's march will end at the Central Rec with keynote speaker Terry Phillips-Lenoir Rhyne University DEI Director. There will be a viewing of the documentary Aftershock and a health resource fair.
Juneteenth in Conover Park| 2pm-6pm
Conover City Park| 361 5th Ave Se, Conover, NC 28613
Family Fun filled day of food, games, Catawba County Library to Goand music!
We Are Ridgeview| 2:30pm
Ridgeview Branch Library| 706 1st SW, Hickory, NC 28602
Generations of Ridgeview residents provide an oral history of Hickory’s historically black community.
Juneteenth Revival| 4pm
McKenzie Campground| 1984 Shiloh Rd, Claremont, NC 28610
County-wide faith based Juneteenth revival.
Miss Juneteenth Pageant| 6pm
Drendel Auditorium SALT Block| 243 3rd Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601
More information to be announced
Juneteenth:1865-2021 Documentary Screening| 9am
West Hickory Senior Center| 400 17th St SW, Hickory, NC 28602
June 19, 1865 was a date that means so much to Texas. On that day in Galveston, Texas, slaves learned they were free. But actually realizing that freedom? It didn’t come easy. 'Juneteenth:1865-2021' looks back at the meaning of Juneteenth and its history here in southeast Texas.
Freedom Day Storytime| 11am-2pm
Ridgeview Branch Library| 706 1st SW, Hickory, NC 28602
Mountain View Book Buzz 6pm
Southwest Branch Library| 2944 S Hwy 127, Hickory, NC 28602
Join us to discuss UNC-CH graduate Nancy Johnson's book The Kindest Lie. The novel explores race, class, identity, and the pursuit of the American dream. Everyone is welcome to join us for our Juneteenth book discussion and conversation.