The Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln became official on January 1, 1863. MISSISSIPPI COUNTY, AR
Juneteenth Celebration started in Blytheville as a picnic at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church in 2015.
• Commemorating the nation’s 150th Juneteenth Celebration
• National Theme: ‘Carrying Lessons from the Past into the Future”
• Grew into a community event/celebration
• 2016 Theme: “Access to Information is the Key to Freedom”
• Community event included:
• Parade, elect speakers, local entrepreneurs, oratorical competition, blood drive, and sweet potato pie contest
* 2017 Theme" "Lifting As We Climb in Love, Health, Unity, Education, and Family". Grand Marshals Mylas and Sue Jeffers
Block Party on Historic Ash Street
* 2018- Theme: 'Lifting As We Climb- It is easier to build strong children than repair
broken men'. In celebration of the 200th birthday of Frederick
Douglass, the Committee honors his life by focusing on empowering
our youth and building a robust community by providing resources
to those in need.
2019 - Thursday, June 20th - Saturday June 22nd
The 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Theme: J5- A Celebration in Arts, History, Music, Literature, and Food. Grand Marshal, Mr. Charles Sanders. Friday Night Block Party on Historic Ash Street featuring
'A Counsel of Wisdom and Knowledge Panel'
Performance by the legendary Mr. Bobby Rush
Saturday's Guest Speaker - Mrs. Stephanie Frederick
Quilts from the Delta
Live Painting Contest
2020 - Saturday, June 19 (COVID-19)
Theme: 'NO VOTE, NO VOICE'
Grand Marshall, Mrs. Tally Ann Rogers
National T-Shirt Contest
Parade, Drive-thru COVID-19 testing, voter registration, census count
2021 - Friday, June 18th and Saturday, June 19th
Theme: R.I.D.E. with Good Trouble. John Lewis while recognizing
African Americans and other minorities struggle with representation, identity,
diversity, and equity. Grand Marshall, Mrs. Tally Ann Rogers
Book Signing, Parade, The Juneteenth Movie 2021, COVID-19 Vaccine,
American Red Cross Sickle Cell Blood Drive
2022- June 13-19
Theme: 'Voices of History with a message for the future'- Make An Impact Together
Rather Than Apart. Honoring the Grandmother of Juneteenth, Opal Lee
2023- June 11-18
Theme: Rise Above: Honoring The Tuskegee Airmen
Presenting the gaH Productions (Geneva Aldridge) 'Highlighting Black Resistance
Through Words and Songs. Youth Book Reading - 'Born on the Water'. Parade,
Block Party, Juneteenth Gospel Jubilee featuring Juneteenth Celebration Choir
2024- 10th Anniversary Celebration- June 13 -19
Theme: BE HEARD...VOTE!!!
9th Annual Sweet Potato Pie Contest; Oratorical Competition,
Youth Book Reading- 'Henry's Freedom Box'; Parade, Block Party, Gospel Jubilee,
Prayer Circle
Grand Marshalls: Juneteenth Committee
