ROCK HILL, S.C. — The Juneteenth Rock Hill Celebration Committee will host the 2018 Juneteenth Rock Hill Celebration of Freedom on June 15 – 16, along with cultural art-based events on June 7 and 9.
The annual event will officially begin on Friday, June 15 with a Food Truck Friday event at Fountain Park from 6 – 10 p.m. The Juneteenth festivities will continue on Saturday, June 16 with a Freedom Fest and talent showcase, on the grounds of Mt. Prospect Baptist Church and Friendship Jr. College from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
On Thursday, June 7, activities will kick off with author and storyteller Carlo L’chelle Dawson sharing a story of Jubilee in a short play titled, Lil’ Lilly Ann’s Story of Jubilee. The cultural art-based event will take place at the York County Library (Rock Hill campus) at 5 p.m. Dawson will return for a performance in On the Front Porch with Mama Millie on Saturday, June 9 at 2 p.m. at the York County Library.
Stage performers entertain the crowd at Juneteenth Rock Hill during the June Food Truck Friday event in Fountain Park.
The Juneteenth Rock Hill celebration will continue with Food Truck Friday & Freedom Fest Concert on Friday, June 15, 6 – 10 p.m. at Fountain Park. The event will feature entertainment by local band favorite The Chairmen of the Board, recording artist Raphael Ratliff, Vision Elite Royalty Dance Company, artist Kolpeace and the Hermon Presbyterian Church Kids will provide entertainment for Christ Bucket Drummers.
The Freedom Fest & Talent Showcase will continue on Saturday, June 16on the grounds of Mt. Prospect Baptist Church and Friendship Jr. College (339 W. Black St., Rock Hill), 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Those attending the fest will experience arts & crafts, drum & dance performances, storytelling, children activities, music, games, unity and fun. The event will also celebrate fathers throughout history.
New this year, there will be a natural hair show to feature the most creative natural hairstyle. Hairstylists who specialize in natural styles will present their creations on models. The winner will receive a Juneteenth Rock Hill trophy. The cost for models to participate in the hair show is $15. Also new this year, is the first Juneteenth Rock Hill Coloring Contest.
The Juneteenth Rock Hill Celebration committee launched the Juneteenth Rock Hill Coloring Contest to help bring more awareness about the event to the Rock Hill community. The coloring page was created by a local Winthrop University student and distributed to elementary and middle school students within Rock Hill Schools. The coloring page was also available at the Upper Palmetto YMCA (Charlotte Avenue branch). Two winners (an elementary student and a middle school student) have been selected by a team of judges and will be recognized throughout the weekend long event.
The committee will also recognize the student winner of the 2018 Dr. Ann G. Cain Scholarship. Honoring the legacy of Dr. Cain, an educator, activist, community leader and one of the founding members of Juneteenth Rock Hill; this scholarship recognizes a graduating senior who has committed to attend college in the fall.
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. It celebrates the history, culture, and customs of African Americans. In 2015, the Juneteenth Rock Hill Committee, partnered with the City of Rock Hill to help promote and grow this event. Prior to the collaboration, the celebration has taken place for nearly 20 years at Mt. Prospect Baptist Church.
For more information about the celebration visit juneteenthrockhill.com or email juneteenthrockhill@gmail.com.
