New Orleans Juneteenth celebrations to look out for

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Various Juneteenth celebrations will take place around New Orleans beginning Thursday, June 19.

The Descendants of Truth and Reconciliation Foundation and The Stories of Us have launched a public art exhibition that is currently on display in Armstrong Park. It features 10 sculptural drums.

According to a news release, the exhibition explores the contrast between America’s founding ideals and its legacy of slavery. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 19 with the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy, Frederick Delahoussaye, DTRF board members and community leaders.

On Saturday, June 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission and partners will host a free community event called Park and Play, in honor of Juneteenth. It will be held in Pontchartrain Park and will include sports, cultural events, music, dancing, food and more.

Local attorney Juan LaFonta will host a free Juneteenth celebration on the Lakefront. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. There will be free food and drinks for the first hundred people and there will be fireworks at 8:00 p.m.

Help Other People Endure will host its third Juneteenth Splash Day Celebration on Thursday, June 19, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Behrman Park. It is open for families and children and is aimed at enhancing family service relationships and reducing crime. There will be swimming, free food, drinks, snowballs, facepainting, games, music and more.

A Freedom Ride bike ride will begin at 56 Dreyfous Drive in City Park June 19 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. There will also be a Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom at 5100 Pontchartrain Boulevard, put on by Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There will be a local artist, vendors market, food trucks and trivia.

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