Juneteenth events happening in South Cobb

Juneteenth, first recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, was signed into law by President Joe Biden. The federal holiday commemorates the emancipation of the last African American slaves held in Confederate states. Deriving its name from combining “June” and “nineteenth”, it is celebrated on the anniversary of the order, issued by Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, proclaiming freedom for slaves in Texas which resulted in 250,000 enslaved black people in the state being freed by executive decree. This day came to be known as “Juneteenth,” by the newly freed people in Texas. Juneteenth celebrates June 19, 1865, when the Union army was finally freed.

There are many opportunities to celebrate and commemorate the day in South Cobb County. 

The city of Austell Juneteenth Festivities include events on Friday and Saturday. The Midnight Train Moving Forward, an adults-only event, will be held Friday, June 16 from 7 to 10 pm at the Threadmill – 5000 Austell Powder Springs Rd SW. The next day, June 17, the City of Austell is hosting a free event at Legion Park, 5514 Austell-Powder Springs Road in Austell. The parade starts at 11:15 a.m., and the festival goes from noon – 7 p.m. Participants can come out and bring the family to enjoy live entertainment, African drummers, a guests fashion show, storytellers, stilt walkers, African dancers, food trucks, face painting, bouncy houses and arts and crafts. Admission is free. Vendors can sign up at austelljuneteenth.com. Entertainers can sign up at rickettsrhodes.com.

The city of Powder Springs will host their Juneteenth Powder Springs Community Celebration & Unity Walk on June 17 from 2 to 8 p.m. at Thurman Springs Park, 4485 Pineview Drive in Powder Springs. Participants can experience culture, entertainment, African dance, puppetry, a Unity Youth Hour, a Unity Choir, a Unity Message and the Unity Walk. There will also be a motorcycle show, a history tent, food trucks, and artisan vendors. Admission is free. For more information, visit https://www.juneteenthpowdersprings.org/.

The Smyrna Public Library, 100 Village Green Circle SE in Smyrna, will have a Juneteenth concert on June 18 at 3 p.m. The event, held in the Smyrna Library Meeting Room, will have light refreshments served. Singer Dileesa Archer will put on display her training in multiple genres. Participants should be ready to smile, tap their feet and clap their hands to the best of Black composers and artists of the 20th century. For more information, visit https://www.smyrnaga.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/22935/953?curm=6&cury=2023.

The Cobb County NAACP will host their weekend of Juneteenth events including Marietta – 20th Annual Cobb County NAACP Juneteenth Celebration

Evening Under the Stars in Marietta Square,
Friday, June 16, 7 – 11 p.m.
This event is free – bring your lawn chairs and picnic baskets. come enjoy music and fun fellowship.
Tables are available for purchase here.

Saturday, June 17, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Marietta Square – All-day event

Sunday, June 18 – Salute to our heroes – Happy Fathers Day, 2 – 6 p.m., Marietta Square

For more information visit their site. 

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