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Lawrence\u2019s Juneteenth celebration will span two days this year, bringing food, music, a parade, tours of Underground Railroad sites and community activities.<\/p>\n
The national holiday recognizes the day the last enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas learned of the Emancipation Proclamation \u2014 June 19, 1865 \u2014 and celebrates Black liberation, heritage and independence.<\/p>\n
The Lawrence Kansas Juneteenth Organization will host the event from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 19, and from 8 a.m. through the afternoon Saturday, June 20, at South Park in downtown Lawrence. Events are free to attend and open to the public.<\/p>\n
Friday\u2019s lineup includes readings from the Juneteenth contest essay winners, food, and live performances from B.L.A.C.K. Lawrence artists and several local DJs. <\/p>\n
Saturday begins with a 2.5-hour tour of the history of the Underground Railroad in Lawrence. Two buses will load up at the southeast corner of South Park before heading out. Tours are free, but those interested in joining must register in advance on Eventbrite to reserve a spot on either the first <\/a>or second bus<\/a>.<\/p>\n The annual multicultural parade will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, featuring Unity High Steppers, KU Hip Hop Dance, Topeka Drum line, North KC Purple Diamond, Coleman Family, NAACP, Intertribal Club, the Boys & Girls Club and more.<\/p>\n The public celebration begins at noon on Saturday in South Park. Michael Coleman will MC the event. Live music will include Barry Barnes, CJ Thomas, VCMN, YUNG FLOSSA, Stranded in the city, Approach, Deepa Reality, Dre Logic, Silent Ave & Friends, D Twist, Almighty Oz and DJ Bizzy. Essay contest winners will read their work at 2:15 p.m. <\/p>\n Organizers also plan to have several food vendors, a kids\u2019 corner, fire trucks, a Sporting Kaw Valley Soccer Zone, Lawrence Public Library\u2019s Dottie, and other educational activities, including lessons on Kwanzaa.<\/p>\n If local news matters to you, please help us keep doing this work.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n