Some say it’s one part Thanksgiving and two parts Independence Day, but Juneteenth is still all Texan—and Denton has been marking this day of freedom in a big way for more than 30 years.

ack in1863, the Union Army lacked the manpower to enforce General Order No. 3 after Abraham Lincoln signed it. As a result, it took more than a year and half for the word to reach the Lone Star State. While there are many theories why it took so long, the end result was that Texas slaves didn’t learn that they had been freed until Major General Gordon Grange came ashore on June 19, 1865, and read the Emancipation Proclamation.
 
In the years to follow, those early Texans never forgot the importance of that day, some remembering the day simply—with stories, food and song. But in the last few years, more Americans than ever are celebrating the spirit of this Texas holiday, and the celebration is finding more fans around the world every year—from Africa to the Pacific Rim.

Three decades strong, Denton’s Juneteenth festival sprawls over two weekends. This year, the main part of the festival is held June 15 and 16 at Fred Moore Park. Organizers put an emphasis on making it an inclusive event, holding the Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant the prior weekend so that the winner can be a part of the parade. Each year, about 5,000 people of all colors attend the festivities.

City council representative from Southeast Denton Charlye Heggins says that many cultural backgrounds are getting into the spirit of Juneteenth.

HOMEGROWN TALENT
“The talent comes out of the woodwork for this event,” Heggins says.

The traditional nighttime gospel extravaganza kicks off the festival weekend with first performances set for 7 p.m. Friday. Hosted by Charlye Heggins and co-host KHVN 970 AM radio personality Floyd Irvin, “Praise in the Park” brings the region’s most outstanding gospel choirs and praise dancers to the C.H. Collins Activity Stage. Among some of the new talent performing Friday are James Lewis and the Unik Voices of Praise of Rockwall, and James Hill and the Male Chorus of Fort Worth. The energy of the heartfelt, homegrown talent is positively infectious. Every listener can follow his bliss—whether toe-tapping, hand-clapping or down-in-front dancing—until the last act of the fast-paced concert closes the park.

The fun begins anew on Saturday morning with the parade. Starting at the Denton Civic Center, it passes by Denton’s Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum and struts on to Southeast Denton from Bell and Robertson Avenues, ending at Fred Moore Park. In addition to floats, dignitaries, musicians, and classic cars, those who just love being in a parade also toss loads of candy to onlookers.

Insiders say the crowd gets bigger as the route nears the park, so they recommend that you head to the Square for the best view.

Also on Saturday, you can join the crowd cheering on their favorite softball team in a coed, double-elimination softball tournament (cost is $150 per team) organized by Denton Parks and Recreation Department. As the day goes by, game- and festival-goers can stay out of the sun and enjoy a wide range of authentic soul food. Choose from spicy hot links, chicken wings, juicy smoked turkey legs, or barbecue, along with savory sides—potato salad, coleslaw, corn-on-the-cob, and more. Many community groups set up booths with prizes and giveaways, too.

New this year, organizers are bringing in “Showtime at the Apollo” to close the festival on Saturday night. Steeped in the 70-year-old, star-making tradition of those legendary amateur-night contests in New York’s Apollo Theater, the talent show, which has been building a following locally, offers cash prizes to both adults and children.

Insider Tips
Insiders who want the energy of a close-up experience know to bring a blanket, but the bleachers still offer the best seats in the house. There will be food vendors, or you can follow the crowd to the free hotdog cookout put together by festival volunteers.

GETTING INVOLVED
While the Juneteenth celebration gets loads of support from area sponsors and Denton’s Parks and Recreation staff, dedicated volunteers continue to put the whole event experience over the top. Organizers welcome new volunteers, as well as active participants and guests. Many volunteers report that the experience puts them in touch with other civic-minded people they might not have met otherwise. The website, www.dentonjuneteenth.org, includes festival planners’ contacts, as well as applications to join the parade, be a vendor, or help sponsor the event.