The University of Arkansas and the NWA Juneteenth  Committee invite the Northwest Arkansas community, friends and family to the annual Juneteenth Celebration.

The weekend is part of the federal holiday that commemorates the anniversary of the emancipation of African Americans.

Between Thursday, June 15 and Saturday, June 17, various free events are open to the public throughout the Northwest Arkansas region. The celebration will be capped with the third annual “Freedom Festival” in downtown Springdale on Saturday, June 17.

FREEDOM FESTIVAL

In partnership with Music Moves, Community Cohesion Project and Interform Fashion, the third annual Freedom Festival will take place on Saturday, June 17 in downtown Springdale at the Shiloh Pavilion (106 W Emma Ave., Springdale, AR, 72764) from 1-9 p.m.

Attendees can expect giveaways and kids’ activities, as well as a number of musical performances including Yung Joc, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Korto Momolu, The Ohio Players, Funk Factory, Lisa Knowles and the Brown Singers and more.

Volunteers are still needed to assist with this event. If you would like to volunteer, please complete the Volunteer Registration Form on the Juneteenth website.

For up to date information, visit the Freedom Festival – Celebrating Juneteenth Facebook event page.

ARKANSAS BLACK FILM SHOWCASE

The DAYVISION Films, in association with NWA Juneteenth Committee, Crystal Bridges and the Community Cohesion Project brings the African American film experience to Northwest Arkansas in an effort to bring awareness, education, exposure and networking opportunities for Black Arkansans, both native and residential.

The showcase will take place on Thursday, June 15 from 6:30 - 10 p.m. at Crystal Bridges and is free to the public.

For up to date information on this event, visit the Third Annual Arkansas Black Film Showcase Facebook page.

TYSON FEED THE COMMUNITY DONATION GIVE AWAY

Global food company, Tyson Foods, will host a protein donation give away for those in need at its world headquarters (2200 W. Don Tyson Parkway, Springdale, Ark, 72762).

The drive-thru event will take place on Saturday, June 17 from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. Attendees will be asked to stay in their car and only open the trunk to provide the donation. 

Special thanks to Tyson, the African Ancestry Alliance, Urban League of the State of Arkansas, Inc., National Black MBA Association NWA Chapter, Hugg & Hall, J.B. Hunt and Ruff Ryders of Fayetteville for sponsoring this event.

The Juneteenth Celebration events are sponsored by:

Community Sponsors: Music Moves, The Community Cohesion Project, INTERFORM, Walton Family Foundation, Tyson Family Foundation, Walmart, Tyson Foods, Crystal Bridges, ARVEST Bank, DAYVISION, Bentonville Film Festival, NWA Council, Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, CONAIR, Signature Bank, Single Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA, Hill City Lodge #347 and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated

University of Arkansas Sponsors include: Division of Student Affairs, Office for Diversity and Inclusion, Sam. M. Walton College of Business, Dr. Barbara Lofton Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Equal Opportunity, Compliance and Title IX, University Police Department.

ABOUT JUNETEENTH

Juneteenth, or the "19th of June," is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. It recognizes June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, when Union Gen. Gordon Granger announced freedom for all slaves in the Southwest. 

This was the last major vestige of slavery in the United States following the end of the Civil War and occurred more than two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. Upon the reading of General Order No. 3 by Granger, the former slaves celebrated jubilantly, establishing America's second Independence Day celebration and the oldest African-American holiday observance. 

In 2006, the Arkansas Legislature first recognized Juneteenth as a state memorial day commemorated by the issuance of a proclamation from Gov. Mike Huckabee.

In 2021, Juneteenth officially became a national holiday in the United States.

Juneteenth today celebrates African American freedom and achievement while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. 

For more information about the Northwest Arkansas Juneteenth Celebration, please visit the Juneteenth.uark.edu or contact Danielle Williams at dlw11@uark.edu.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.