STROUDSBURG, Pa. — The African American Network is teaming up with the Sherman Theater for the 22nd annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival in Stroudsburg's Courthouse Square on Saturday.
"It marks the end of a very painful time in our history in this country and the beginning of more joyful times," said Cleo Jarvis, event chair of the African American Network.
On Saturday, hundreds of people are expected to come out for the celebration ahead of the Juneteenth holiday next week.
The holiday commemorates June 19th, 1865. The day slaves were freed in Texas. Which was the last Confederate state to do so, two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
"When the proclamation was made, everybody didn't hear at the same time; if you can imagine, people had to walk or ride a horse to go and tell people you're free," added Jarvis.
Juneteenth officially became a federal holiday in 2021, but groups like the African American Network have been celebrating for years. The festival on Saturday features food, vendors, and lots of live entertainment.
"The talent, the local talent, comes out, and we are like, wow, the voices that sing, it's real nice; I look forward to this every year," said Jarvis.
The Juneteenth Freedom Festival runs from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday at Courthouse Square in Stroudsburg.