Marlin Juneteenth celebration kickoff

A Gospel Explosion & Showcase will kick off the Marlin Juneteenth celebrations at the BTW Alumni building, 216 Falls Street, Tuesday, June 17at 6:00 pm. Sponsored by the Marlin Texas Juneteenth Organization, a variety of showcases including worship and praise, praise dancers and various culture dance teams from the local schools, monologues and poetry orations, will be highlighted. The program will feature a playact, “Delayed but NOT Denied” showcasing local talents of all ages.

The Juneteenth Parade will be Thursday, June 19 at 11:00 a.m. Line-up starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Marlin Falconer Center on Durr Street. Marlin’s own, Keundra Wilson, Class of 2025 graduate, will serve as the Parade Marshal. All interested are asked to decorate their vehicles and children’s entries should be closely supervised.

Immediately following the parade, the official program and dinner will be at the BTW Alumni building. Minister Slugger will be the theme speaker. The theme for the two-day event is “A Reckoning: Reclaiming the Past, Remembering Black Voices, Reshaping the Future.” Charles Williams III and Ra’Niyah Guillory will be recognized as the 2025 scholarship recipients. Compliments of the Juneteenth Organization, the traditional Juneteenth dinner, will be served. Additional activities for the day will include a game truck. Strong supervision will be enforced.

Years after officially becoming a federal holiday, Juneteenth, known as Freedom Day, honors the historic day acknowledging the end of slavery in Texas as June 19, 1865, Of the seven states recognizing the Emancipation Proclamation, Texas acknowledged the freedom of slaves two years after the initial date.

There is no charge to participate and/or attend. A limited number of Juneteenth tee shirts ($20) will be available. For more information, contact Hermetta Paul, President, at 254.661.9340.