COLUMBUS, Ind. – Since the Juneteenth (June 19) holiday falls in the middle of the week this year, the Columbus branch of the NAACP is celebrating the event this weekend. The community is invited to the 2024 Juneteenth Jubilee this Saturday, June 22, in downtown Columbus on 4th Street between Franklin and Jackson Streets, from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The story will be told of the resilience of the Black community and how food, music, and art have connected to help heal suffering over centuries of enslavement.
There will be talks by culinary historian and cookbook author Michael Twitty, panels to discuss mental health and why history matters, and two bus tours of Black history locations in Columbus to be led by The Republic’s Woman of the Year, Paulette Roberts.
The festival will feature food vendors, music, bounce houses, crafts, free books, free Icees, and much more to enjoy. Traditional red food will be offered at the NAACP booth. The Bartholomew County Library Plaza on 5th Street will host a Health Corner and KidZone as part of the Juneteenth Jubilee.
The City of Columbus has announced traffic information for the celebration. The gates on 4th Street, from Jackson to Washington Streets, and Washington to Franklin Streets will be closed during the event. Fifth Street, between Franklin Street and Lafayette Avenue, will also be closed until 4 p.m. for the KidZone/Health Corner. The intersection of 4th and Washington Streets will be shut down from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. for the closing ceremony.
