Juneteenth Event Saturday
The second annual Juneteenth Festival and Parade in Monticello commemorates the effective ending of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas with an executive order freeing the people enslaved there.
The local event will be held this Saturday, June 10, starting with a parade at 2 p.m. Three queens will be featured in the parade and for the day. They include Senior Queen Mary “Lois” Stewart, Junior Queen Tiffani McClain and Youth Queen Darla Alexander.
Lois Stewart is a member and part time employee of the Jasper County Senior Center where she is an important contributor to the organization.
Tiffani McClain is starting her senior year at JCHS where she has varied interests from 4-H to public speaking.
Darla Alexander is a rising third grader who enjoys art and writing.
The parade will line up on South St. and go up Southern Avenue to East Greene Street. From there it travels across the Square to Church Street, which leads it to West Washington Street. The parade route turns left on West Washington, and continues to Funderburg Drive. From there, turning right, some will leave it at South Street, but most will continue on Funderburg to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, where it turns left then back to the right on Culver Street to Sands Drive to the park.
The parade will also feature American Legion Post 110, Alcovy High School Marching band, MKR karts, and floats from numerous community organizations.
The festival will take place at Sands Park on Sands Drive.
A disc jockey will provide entertainment. The Monticello Outlaws will host a day of baseball. There will also be a 3 point contest with Coach D. Community organizations will provide activities and games for the children. There will also be a free bounce house and anyone can pay to dunk a friend or celebrity. Proceeds will help support the event.
Those volunteering their time for the dunk tank include:
4-4:20 Jordan Stone/ teacher/coach
4:20-4:40 Mark Ray/MKR
4:40-5 Caiden Hutchinson/MKR
5-5:20 Jerry Palmer/MKR
5:20-5:40 Michael Ezell /MKR
5:40-6 Tevin Digby/ MKR
6-6:20 Kevin Arredondo – MKR
6:20-6:40 Keldrick Davis/Rec Director
6:40-7 Coach Ashley Henderson/JCHS Football Coach
7-7:20 DeAshley Thurman – Monticello Mayor
7:20-7:40 Sheila Jones/ Commissioner
Community churches and other local non-profits will have food and drinks available for purchase. Several raffles are planned, including a 50” television and 20 gift baskets.
In addition, Juneteenth t-shirts will be available. The festivities will run from the end of the parade, about 3 p.m. until 8:45 pm.
