FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

Harris County Juneteenth Committee Announces Third Annual Juneteenth Festival in Hamilton, Georgia

 

PINE MOUNTAIN, Ga. (MAY 19, 2025) -- The Harris County Juneteenth Committee has announced the third annual Juneteenth Festival, scheduled for Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the Hamilton Community Center (7509 Ga. Hwy. 116, Hamilton, Ga), from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a program at 11 a.m. This year’s theme, "Celebrating Freedom, Liberation, and Community," will honor the historical significance of Juneteenth and its ongoing impact in the community.

 

Juneteenth commemorates the day Union soldiers arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, on June 19, 1865, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, officially liberating more than 250,000 African Americans still enslaved two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the order. The day serves as a powerful representation of self-determination, citizenship, and democracy, symbolizing the hopes and dreams of those who held fast to the promise of true liberty. This holiday, an observance honoring the end of slavery in the United States, holds special significance as the longest-running African American holiday. Recognizing its importance, the federal government officially declared Juneteenth a holiday on June 17, 2021, to be celebrated annually on June 19.

 

Festival activities will include a history presentation, live demonstrations and performances such as African drumming and performances by a community choir, arts and crafts—including an African American quilt program— as well as cultural showcases, music, awards, a silent auction of African art, free lunch, and a variety of vendors.

 

“Juneteenth is a powerful reminder of the resilience, strength, and enduring spirit of those who fought for freedom and equality,” said Julfonda S. Thompson, chairperson of the Harris County Juneteenth Committee. “It is a day to reflect on the past, honor those who paved the way, and inspire future generations to keep pushing for justice and equity.”

 

This program is made possible by the Harris County Juneteenth Committee, which includes individuals, churches, and other sponsoring organizations and businesses. To donate or become a sponsor of this event, make checks payable to the Harris County Juneteenth Program and mail to PO Box 469, Hamilton, Ga., 31811.  For additional information, to make a donation, become a sponsor, or participate in the festival, contact Julfonda S. Thompson at (803) 454-5821 or via email at julfonda@gmail.com. For information on participating as a vendor, contact Elaine Sheridan at powell.elained08@gmail.com. Any proceeds will benefit the Backsnacks Program of Harris County.

 

“Our festival is more than a celebration,” Thompson added. “It’s a call to come together as a community to honor our shared history, uplift one another, and continue the work of achieving true equity and justice for all.”

 

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Note to editors: Interviews or images are available upon request.

 

Media Contact:
Julfonda S. Thompson, Chairperson
Harris County Juneteenth Committee
(803) 454-5821
julfonda@gmail.com

 

About the Harris County Juneteenth Committee
The Harris County Juneteenth Committee is a community-based organization dedicated to commemorating the historical significance of Juneteenth while promoting education, unity, and cultural awareness within Harris County, Georgia. Established to honor the legacy of freedom and liberation, the committee organizes events, programs, and initiatives that celebrate African American heritage and foster a deeper understanding of the impact of Juneteenth in American history. Through annual events such as the Juneteenth Festival, the committee seeks to bring the community together in celebration, reflection, and support, reinforcing the principles of equity and justice.