New Orleans is going big for Juneteenth this year, with events all around the city. Named both a Louisiana state holiday and federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Festivals, galas and performances have been popping up in New Orleans and other Louisiana cities in recent years to celebrate the historic event.
Here are a few events to check out on June 19 and the days leading up to it.
Jarred Honora lifts up Jarred Honora Jr., 5, during Juan Lafonta's Juneteenth Celebration honoring Black history in New Orleans, La., Saturday, June 18, 2022. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)
June 16
City of Covington: Juneteenth Fashion Show
Models ages 10-19 are encouraged to strut their stuff in the 2nd annual Mr. and Miss Juneteenth competition and fashion show at Furhmann Auditorium on Friday. Categories include "Classy with Kicks," "I Am (Future Self)," and "Juneteenth Inspired." The show starts at 7 p.m.
Head to the city of Covington facebook page to sign up.
Operation Restoration Service Day
Staff members at Operation Restoration will celebrate Juneteenth with a day of community service. Starting at 11:30 a.m., a fried chicken meal, clothing and other resources will be distributed at Lorraine's Cafe to homeless persons in the area.
Staff will also conduct a voter-registration drive at the event.
June 17
Whitney Plantation: Juneteenth Freedom Festival
From 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the historic Whitney Plantation will host a free Juneteenth festival for all ages. Food trucks and market vendors from neighboring parishes will be around for food and drink, and the day will feature African dance lessons from Neungola Sibo African Dance, as well as an author talk with New Orleans-based chef and cookbook author Toya Boudy.
In honor of the holiday, the plantation is waiving museum admission and allowing guests to take self-guided tours of the grounds and buildings.
Read more about the event on the Whitney Plantation website.
Photo provided by Whitney Plantation -- Whitney Plantation in Wallace.
Krewe of Red Beans and Feed the Second Line: Juneteenth Celebration
Dancing, drumming and more will be offered at Feed the Second Line's family-friendly Juneteenth celebration at the Krewe of Red Bean's Beanlandia on Royal Street. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the nonprofit organization is holding a short celebration with Mama Jamilah, Andrea Peoples Dance Theatre and the Luther Gray Congo Square Drum circle.
Admission is free.
Krewe of Red Beans founder Devin De Wulf, right, gets a high five from Katherine St. Paul Hill, left, at Beanlandia in New Orleans on Friday, October 7, 2022. (Photo by Brett Duke, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)
June 18
Louisiana Afro Indigenous Society: Freedom Gala
The Louisiana Afro Indigenous Society will kick off its Juneteenth celebrations with its third annual Freedom Gala at the Andre Cailloux Center, 2541 Bayou Road, New Orleans. Starting at 6 p.m., the gala includes a film screening, live music, and an art auction.
Tickets can be purchased online. General individual admission starts at $75, while group admission starts at $100.
Janice Kimble of the Treme Baby Dolls, left, and Anita Oubre of the Mahogany Blue Baby Dolls second line during the New Orleans Juneteenth Festival at Louis Armstrong Park in New Orleans, Sunday, June 19, 2022. (Photo by Scott Threlkeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)
We Will Dream: New Works Festival Juneteenth Liberation Ball
No Dream Deferred is closing out their We Will Dream: New Works Festival with a Juneteenth Liberation Ball from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m at the André Cailloux Center at 2541 Bayou Road.
The fundraising event will be a culminating night of food, an open bar, live entertainment and silent bidding. 2022 Pulitzer Prize winner James Ijames will speak.
Standing community tickets are $50, and seated fundraiser tickets are $100.
Tickets are available for purchase online.
NOLA Black Wall Street: Senior Car Giveaway
Graduating or recently graduated seniors can apply to win a car through NOLA Black Wall Street. Sponsored by Unnisha Paige and hosted at McDonough Park, 1500 Teche St. in Algiers, at 1:30 p.m., the event is open to the public and will include free food.
NOLA Black Wall Street, established on Juneteenth in 2020, is part of a larger historical movement in the United States that focuses on investing in African American owned business districts and communities.
Register for the giveaway at nbwsseniorcargiveaway.com/
Free admission to NOMA
In honor of Juneteenth, admission to the New Orleans Museum of Art is free to the public from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
June 19
City of Covington: "Every Chain Broken" Freedom Day Celebration
Starting with a Freedom Parade at 10 a.m., Covington is hosting its annual Juneteenth celebration with speakers and spoken word performances, a vendor fair, arts and crafts, and a maypole dance. Festivities will end at 5 p.m.
All events, which will take place at the Fuhrmann Auditorium, are free and open to the public.
A Juneteenth banner led the holiday parade in Covington on June 19, 2022. A parade is planned this year, with other programming commemorating the holiday taking place at Fuhrmann Auditorium and the Rev. Peter Atkins Park. A genealogy program is being presented on June 17 in Mandeville, too, as part of Juneteenth observations.
Louisiana Afro Indigenous Society: Juneteenth Festival
Festivities continue for the Louisiana Afro Indigenous Society at the fourth annual Juneteenth Fest on Monday, June 19, in Congo Square in Louis Armstrong Park.
This year, the theme for the celebration is Black Excellence, Black Love, and Familyhood. The festival will feature more than “65 black-owned businesses,” as well as live music, film screenings and an art auction. Artists like Water Seed, Keedy Black, The Maroons and more will be in attendance.
The festival's second line kicks off at 1:30 p.m. Admission is free.