The Lubbock Juneteenth Committee kicked off its celebration of events for the 2026 Rise Up Weekend on Thursday afternoon with a press conference and children’s activities.
This was the first of eight events in the Rise Up Juneteenth series, running from June 18 to June 22 around the federal Juneteenth holiday on Friday.
“Our theme this year is called the reunion, where everybody comes together – family, friends, neighbors, our whole community – coming together to celebrate, make some memories and meet some new friends,” organizer D’Juana McPherson said.
Later in the afternoon, the Lubbock Juneteenth Committee hosted a glow-in-the-dark party from 5-8 p.m. at Patterson Branch Library for 10-17-year-olds. The event featured a silent disco, silent reading lounge, glow-in-the-dark games and a dance-off.
Cory Powell outlined the events for the upcoming weekend.
Starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday, the Lubbock Juneteenth Committee will host a cookout at Mackenzie Park, featuring “great food, live music, and vibrant entertainment,” according to the event schedule flyer.
“It’s just a fun evening for you to come out and enjoy music, food and fun!” Powell said.
DJ Arie Spence is back by popular demand from New Orleans, kicking off the event at 6:30 p.m., with the Don Diego band from Dallas joining later in the evening until the cookout ends at 10 p.m.
On Saturday morning, the Mae Simmons Center will hold a senior breakfast from 8-9:30 a.m. – free for individuals 62 and older to honor the pioneers of our community, hosted by My Brothers and Sisters Keepers.
After the senior breakfast, the Juneteenth Parade will take place from 10-11:15 a.m, where there will be a “vibrant display of floats, music, dancing with local groups and organizations in celebration of progress.”
The parade will begin on Avenue A, and travel east on Broadway, turn right on Canyon Lake Drive and end at the R.O.C.C. Fitness parking lot.
After the parade, Freedom Fest will begin at 11:30 a.m. and last through 4 p.m. at Mackenzie Park.
The family-friendly event is hosted by Rolanda Rochelle and will be filled with kid and teen-friendly activities, a StarCare health fair, an ice cream eating contest, along with food trucks, vendors, giveaways, games and more.
The celebration will continue into the evening at 6:30 p.m. with a Freedom Celebration and Fireworks Show. There will be line dancing, food vendors, live music and conclude the night with the H-E-B Fireworks Show.
On Sunday, the Lubbock Juneteenth Committee will conclude their Rise Up Juneteenth celebration with a Choir Rehearsal with Friends with Will Johnson, free to the public starting at 6 p.m. at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center Theater.
For the full event details or any updates, you can visit lubbockjuneteenth.com or follow @LubbockJuneteenth on Instagram and Facebook
Celebrating Juneteenth
Juneteenth, which is now a federal holiday on June 19, marks the emancipation of slaves after the Civil War.
Though former President Abraham Lincoln declared the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, it wasn’t until two years later in Galveston that many individuals learned about their freedom.
Texas has marked Juneteenth as a state holiday since 1980, but it wasn’t until 2021 that President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, making it a federal holiday.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock kicks off Rise Up Weekend Juneteenth celebrations
Reporting by Sofia Bueno, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sofia Bueno, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal | USA TODAY Network
