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SWLA JUNETEENTH
COMMITTEE

Youth Events  - Time to Register

Essay & Poster Contests:

This year's theme is "How Can I Discover My Roots".  Share your message creatively.   Register by June 1. Click to learn about requirements, prizes and registering.

Juneteenth Pageant

Youth ages 9 to 19 can register and compete for the titles of Mr. and Miss Juneteenth 2023.  Register by May 15.

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What is Juneteenth?

Know your history.

Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.  Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with the news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.  Juneteenth today celebrates African American freedom and achievement while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures.

The Southwest Louisiana (SWLA) Juneteenth Committee's mission is to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States by celebrating the joys of liberty, educating the community about African American heritage, and by promoting positive cultural interaction.​  Every year, the SWLA Juneteenth Committee hosts various events in honor of the Juneteenth (June 19th) Holiday, including the SWLA Juneteenth Music Festival. 

  • Juneteenth Minority Job Seekers Fair
    Jun 08, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
    Downtown Convention Center, 124 S Buchanan St, Lafayette, LA 70501, USA
    Free and open to the public. We invite students and adults to meet potential employers, plus learn about educational alternatives and opportunities. Bring your resume. Register and use the link provided to upload your resume by June 7, 2023 to have it provided to potential employers .
  • Opening Ceremonies & Flag Raising
    Jun 09, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
    Lafayette Consolidated Government, 705 W University Ave, Lafayette, LA 70506, USA
  • Freedom Riders 1st Annual Show Me Watcha Got Show"
    Jun 10, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Lafayette, 800 E Vermilion St, Lafayette, LA 70501, USA
    See beautiful vehicles, including classics, sports, bikes, etc., plus other types of collections from people in the area. Browse vendor booths for food, sweets, art and other creative items.
  • 40 Acres & a Mule
    Jun 13, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    VIA Zoom
  • SWLA Juneteenth presents "The Juneteenth Story"
    Jun 15, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM CDT
    Wonderland Performing Arts, 2807 Johnston St, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA
    Camp Performance, this is a performance for the Youth of our Community.
  • SWLA Juneteenth presents "The Juneteenth Story"
    Jun 15, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
    Wonderland Performing Arts, 2807 Johnston St, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA
    Opening Night Performance
  • SWLA 2023 Juneteenth Pageant
    Jun 16, 5:30 PM CDT
    Downtown Convention Center, 124 S Buchanan St, Lafayette, LA 70501, USA
    The Southwest Louisiana Juneteenth Committee is excited to bring back the Juneteenth Pageant. We are happy you and / or your young person is a potential contestant in the AWESOME Pageant. We see this as an opportunity to shine the spotlight on our AMAZING young people.
  • SWLA Juneteenth presents "The Juneteenth Story"
    Jun 16, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
    Wonderland Performing Arts, 2807 Johnston St, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA
    Story Performance
  • Juneteenth Sickle Cell Anemia Walk
    Jun 17, 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
    The Historic Heymann Park, 1500 S Orange St, Lafayette, LA 70501, USA
    Join us in celebrating Juneteenth and World Sickle Cell Day this June with the Juneteenth Sickle Cell Anemia Walk. Sickle Cell Association of South Louisiana (SCASL) has partnered with the Lafayette Juneteenth committee to recognize the two causes as they both are on June 19.
  • 2023 SWLA Juneteenth Festival
    Jun 17, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDT
    The Historic Heymann Park, 1500 S Orange St, Lafayette, LA 70501, USA
  • SWLA Juneteenth presents "The Juneteenth Story"
    Jun 17, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
    Wonderland Performing Arts, 2807 Johnston St, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA
    Story Performance
  • SWLA Juneteenth presents "The Juneteenth Story"
    Jun 18, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
    Wonderland Performing Arts, 2807 Johnston St, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA
  • Juneteenth A Freedom Celebration
    Jun 19, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
    Lafayette, 800 E Vermilion St, Lafayette, LA 70501, USA
    Come and join us to celebrate the day of freedom of African Americans. Sponsored by Acadiana Black Authors.
  • MTM Juneteenth Commemoration
    Jun 19, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Downtown Convention Center, 124 S Buchanan St, Lafayette, LA 70501, USA
    Move the Mindset Juneteenth Commemoration featuring messages from Dr. Joy Banner, Judy Daniels, and Matthew Miles plus a performance of the Pacci Percussion Youth Drummers, Herb Green. Free Event. Open to the public.
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Essay/Poster Contests

 winners will receive $ 
THEME: Where do I fit in a changing world?

Special thanks to our Sponsors

Honoring our Heritage. Uniting the Community.

Celebrating Equality.

 

TOGETHER.

14

YEARS OF JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONS IN LAFAYETTE

LOUISIANA

157

YEARS SINCE THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION

4,500 +

NUMBER OF ATTENDEES AT 2021 SWLA JUNETEENTH EVENTS &  MUSIC FESTIVAL

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