Juneteenth celebrations planned locally
Ruston will celebrate Juneteenth this year with what organizers are calling an evening of fun, fellowship, and reflection on a historic event in American history.
The city’s third annual Juneteenth concert and celebration is set for 6:30 p.m. June 17 in Railroad Park. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S.
Tickets are $5 and are available online at ziontravelercdc. com; at Red Peach Radio, located at 500 North Monroe Street; or at the gate. Gates open at 6 p.m.
The three-hour event will feature award-winning Gospel recording artists James Fortune, Pastor Mike, Jr., and Kelontae Gavin, along with a local interdenominational choir.
“This is going to be a highly attended concert,” event coordinator Santoria Black said.
The yet-to-be-chosen winner of this year’s inaugural Indie Gospel Artist Showcase contest will open the concert.
The showcase finals are Friday morning at Zion Traveler Baptist Church.
Vying for the top spot are regional showcase winners Cornelius Jackson, a Grambling State University student; Noah Blessing, a Louisiana Tech University student; Inza English, of Ruston; Roshada Thompson, of Haynesville; and the Dallas duo Only God Ministries.
Juneteenth planners added the showcase in hopes of getting more local people involved in the celebration, Black said.
Approximately 700 people attended last year’s event.
The celebration includes food, arts and crafts and a kids’ zone.
The idea for a local Juneteenth celebration grew out of the Real Change of Ruston group in 2021, and in response to Mayor Ronny Walker’s pledge to address vestiges of racism that are still in the city.
Since then, Ruston’s Board of Aldermen has added June 19 — that’s officially Juneteenth — as a city holiday.
Black said he thinks the celebration has brought the city together.
“For a lot of people, it was an emotional moment, especially that first year,” he said, recalling an era when African Americans were not welcome in downtown businesses or allowed to gather.
“We have to understand our history if we’re going to improve the future,” Black said.
The Juneteenth celebration is sponsored by the Real Change in Ruston committee, Zion Traveler Community Development Corporation and the city of Ruston.
