Juneteenth, a national holiday, celebrates the order proclaiming freedom for slaves. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.
Every year, The Southwest Louisiana (SWLA) Juneteenth Committee commemorates this milestone by celebrating liberty, educating the community and by promoting positive cultural interaction.
Juneteenth 2023 Events in Acadiana:
- SWLA Juneteenth presents Essay / Poster Contest – April 01, 12:00pm – June 01, 12:00pm
- Thurs. – June 8th 2:00-6:00pm, Juneteenth Job Fair, Downtown Convention Center, 124 S. Buchanan St.
- Fri. – June 9th 9:00am, Juneteenth Opening Ceremonies & Flag Raising, Lafayette Consolidated Govt., 705 W. University
- Sat. – June 10th 10:00am – 4:00pm, 1st Annual “Show Me Watcha Got Show”, 800 E. Vermilion St,
- Tues. – June 13th 6:00pm, 40 Acres & a Mule, Via Zoom
- Thurs. – June 15th The Juneteenth Story, 11:00am, Camp Performance, Wonderland Performing Arts, 2807 Johnston
- Fri. – June 16th 6:00-10:00pm, Juneteenth Banquet / Pageant, Downtown Convention Center, 124 S. Buchanan St.
- Fri. – June 16th 6:00-10:00pm, Juneteenth Essay / Poster Contest, Downtown Convention Center, 124 S. Buchanan
- Fri. – June 16th The Juneteenth Story, 7:30pm, Story Performance, Wonderland Performing Arts, 2807 Johnston St.
- Sat. – June 17th 7:00am, Juneteenth Sickle Cell Walk, Historical Heymann Park, 1500 S. Orange St.
- Sat. – June 17th 4-8pm, SWLA Juneteenth Festival, Historical Heymann Park, 1500 S. Orange St.
- Sat. – June 17th The Juneteenth Story, 7:30pm, Story Performance, Wonderland Performing Arts, 2807 Johnston
- Sun. – June 18th The Juneteenth Story, 2:00pm, Story Performance, Wonderland Performing Arts, 2807 Johnston St.
- Mon. – June 19th 10:00am – 3:00pm, Juneteenth A Freedom Celebration, 800 E. Vermilion St.
- Mon. – June 19th 6:00-8:00pm, MTM Juneteenth Commemoration, Downtown Convention Center, 124 S. Buchanan
