Members of the Wills Point community and beyond joined together June 18, braving blistering hot temperatures and high humidity once again for the largest Juneteenth celebration in the area.

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston with the news that the Civil War had ended and the enslaved were now free.

This announcement came two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862. The celebration of June 19 became “Juneteenth,” and the observance has grown beyond the borders of Texas and traveled to other countries. It became an official state holiday in Texas after having been signed into law on June 13, 1979.

Events kicked of this year shortly after 11 a.m., with a parade making its way down from the intersection of O’Neal and S. 4 th St. towards South Park.

Shortly after the conclusion of the parade, events continued with a party in the park that included free food, music, games and fellowship for the community. The local Juneteenth event has grown steadily since its inception, routinely drawing hundreds of attendees each year.

Organizers behind the WP Juneteenth celebration thanked the community and area businesses for helping to make the 2022 event such a success.