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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. 

 FILE PHOTO BY GRANT THERKILDSEN

Juneteenth celebrations are scheduled in Covington and Mandeville this weekend, and on June 19, to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States.

The holiday was first celebrated in Texas, where on June 19, 1865, in the aftermath of the Civil War, enslaved people were declared free under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation.

Juneteenth became a national holiday in 2021.

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JUNETEENTH EVENTS

COVINGTON

WHAT: The City of Covington and the nonprofit One Covington - Future Leaders of Louisiana will host the second annual Youth Juneteenth Fashion Show and Essay Scholarships.

WHEN: 7 p.m., Friday, June 16

WHERE: Fuhrmann Auditorium, 317 N. Jefferson Ave., Covington

WHO: Youth ages 10 to 19 can find the entry form at the "Juneteenth Covington LA" Facebook page and essays on the theme “What does Juneteenth mean to you, your family and friends?” can be uploaded.

ALSO: Freedom Parade and Fair

WHEN: 10 a.m. Monday, June 19 from Rev. Peter Atkins Park

WHERE: 701 N. Tyler St. to Fuhrmann Auditorium, 317. N. Jefferson Ave.

WHAT: Free program and resource fair at 11:30 a.m. with guest speaker Lloyd Benson, Jr. from Baton Rouge and performances by T-Ray the Violinist and Casme. There will be food, games for youth, vendors, arts and crafts at the park and discussions until 5 p.m. The theme will be “empowering, educating and entertaining.”

INFO: For more information, call Peter Lewis at (225) 505-3030 or email onecovintonfll@yahoo.com.

MANDEVILLE

WHAT: The City of Mandeville will host a Juneteenth event, "Genealogy Presentation on Ancestry Research."

WHEN: 10 a.m. until noon, Saturday, June 17.

WHERE: Trailhead Depot Museum, 675 Lafitte St.

WHO: The guest speaker will be Jari Honora, a nationally known certified genealogist with more than two decades of research in south Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. He is a graduate of St. Augustine High School and Tulane University and works as a reference associate in the Williams Research Center of the Historic New Orleans Collection.

HOW MANY: Seating is limited and those who plan to attend can call (985) 624-3148 or email acasborne@cityofmandeville.com.

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