Juneteenth of Thomasville 2022

What is Juneteenth? Juneteenth originated in Galveston, Texas, and commemorates the anniversary of the June 19, 1865 announcement by Union Army General Gordon Granger that the Civil War was over and that the enslaved were now free. While President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation officially outlawed slavery in the United States on January 1, 1863, the announcement relied on Union troops to help spread the news. Unfortunately, this historic news did not reach many – including the citizens of Texas - for some time. As the news of freedom spread, celebrations occurred throughout the country. In later years, descendants of those who first participated in those historic celebrations soon began referring to the occasion as ‘Juneteenth.’

This free community-wide event includes live entertainment, food, a car show, vendors, and more. The City of Thomasville Black History Month Parade has been rescheduled and will be held this year in conjunction with the Juneteenth Celebration.