Here's what to know about Spartanburg's Juneteenth events

In Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, enslaved African Americans received the news that they were now free. The emancipation of the former slaves was celebrated with food and gatherings that became known as Juneteenth.

Now, Juneteenth has become a national holiday with celebrations lasting from a day to an entire month.

Spartanburg Juneteenth Inc. is a local group hosting events in honor of the holiday. A seminar discussing race kicked off the events on Thursday, June 9.  From Wednesday, June 15 through Sunday, June 19, the organization will hold more activities.

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You can learn more about these events on the Spartanburg Juneteenth Inc. Facebook page.

Here's what to know about Juneteenth in Spartanburg:

►Thursday, June 16: An Evening of Spoken Word hosted by Moody Black and Friends at Chapman Cultural Center, 6 p.m.-midnight. Admission is free. Food trucks will be on site.

►Friday, June 17: Juneteenth Block Party. Enter on Spring Street near the downtown clock tower. From 6-10 p.m., event features a live performance by Respect N Salute, DJ Traxx on Dekk, five food trucks, including a vegan option, 360 photo booth and more. Admission is free. Set up for the event begins at noon.

►Saturday, June 18: Juneteenth Festival at Barnet Park. From 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Admission is free. The event features food, kids zone, live performances and shopping vendors.

►Sunday, June 19: Sankofa. Go Back and Get It at Cornerstone Baptist Church. Begins at 5 p.m. featuring guest speaker Rev. Dr. Shelia Elliott Hodge.

Juneteenth events look to enrich, inspire Spartanburg

District 1 County Councilman Mo Abusaft, the founder of Spartanburg Juneteenth Inc., ants the community to be enriched during the holiday and celebrations.

"It isn't just Spring Fling (Spartanburg's downtown festival) with different colors. We want people to understand what they're celebrating," Abusaft said. "We want people to be stirred and awakened."

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Live music and vendors are fun, but Abusaft said Juneteenth is a holiday that aims to educate.

"We want people to know what they're celebrating. It's historical and long significance," Abusaft stated.

COVID-19 prevented Juneteenth from being celebrated in person last year. This year, the nonprofit has more partners for more events to celebrate.

"We've largely allowed the city to head up the in-person festival on Saturday," Abusaft said. "We've added the Juneteenth revival on Sunday (June 19), a combination of our community's most prominent pastors who are coming together to do something that transcends their individual churches," Abusaft said.

Abusaft is especially looking forward to the Night of Spoken Word, which will take place from 6 p.m. to midnight on June 16 at the Chapman Cultural Center. The event is free.

"There will be food trucks and vendors there, and also Spoken Word artists," said Abusaft. "It is stirring, hearing what they can do and put together. They're not looking down at a piece of paper, it's the theater and motion to hear them perform. I'm looking forward to seeing what they produce and the effect it has on the audience."

City of Spartanburg communications and marketing director, Christopher George, is glad the city is helping out with these events.

"We're very excited to work with the community and to help facilitate," said George. "All of the other events, besides the festival, are brand new. There is a lot of excitement  around Juneteenth."

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Spartanburg, SC Juneteenth celebrations June 15-19