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On Sunday, June 1, the Greater Valley Juneteenth Committee will celebrate the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth with a freedom walk that will head out of John Hoggs Park, located at Avenue D on 10th Street, at 6 p.m. EDT.

“People of all ages are encouraged to join us,” said committee member Trudye Johnson. “By foot or on bike, young people and families are free to join us in celebrating freedom.”

This freedom walk will begin with greetings from city officials and prayer then head towards city hall in Lanett approximately two miles away.

Juneteenth celebrates education, history, self-improvement and equality for all Americans as ratified by the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

According to Johnson, the 2025 Juneteenth anniversary events have been underway for some time. “The youth poster contest was completed by local elementary students on May 9th,” she said. “Winners will be announced at the Juneteenth Community Festival on June 19th.”

This year’s Juneteenth Festival will be held on the playground across from W.O. Lance Elementary School off First Street and South 8th Avenue. It will be taking place from 4 to 8 p.m. EDT. Food trucks will be there offering delicious food from many different cultures. There will also be live entertainment, children’s games, rock climbing, bouncy houses, face painting and athletic competitions. Fireworks provided by Boom City USA will follow the festival at dusk. The fireworks show will be taking place at the Lanett Mill site.

Food vendors, nonprofit agencies and crafters can register at www.gvjuneteenth12.org.

The final event of this year’s Juneteenth celebration will be a heritage reception. It honors local educators with the goal of creating an Essie Mae Harris memorial scholarship. The scholarship honors the memory of someone who was a phenomenal math teacher at Lanier and Lanett high schools, as well as a community activist and humanitarian. Harris was a long-time supporter of Valley Haven School and the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The heritage reception will begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 28 in the family life center of Mount Hermon Baptist Church. Dr. Travis Smith will be the guest speaker. Tickets to the reception are $50 each. Donations and sponsorships will be welcome.

For more information, go to gvjuneteenth12.org or contact Trudye Johnson at (706) 957-9722 or Trent McCants at (706) 518-6650.