Juneteenth, a national holiday, celebrates the order proclaiming freedom for slaves. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.

Every year, The Southwest Louisiana (SWLA) Juneteenth Committee commemorates this milestone by celebrating liberty, educating the community and by promoting positive cultural interaction.

Juneteenth 2023 Events in Acadiana:

• SWLA Juneteenth presents Essay / Poster Contest – April 01, 12:00pm – June 01, 12:00pm
• Thurs. – June 8^th 2:00-6:00pm, Juneteenth Job Fair, Downtown Convention Center, 124 S. Buchanan St.
• Fri. – June 9^th 9:00am, Juneteenth Opening Ceremonies & Flag Raising, Lafayette Consolidated Govt., 705 W. University
• Sat. – June 10^th 10:00am – 4:00pm, 1^st Annual “Show Me Watcha Got Show”, 800 E. Vermilion St,
• Tues. – June 13^th 6:00pm, 40 Acres & a Mule, Via Zoom
• Thurs. – June 15^th The Juneteenth Story, 11:00am, Camp Performance, Wonderland Performing Arts, 2807 Johnston
• Fri. – June 16^th 6:00-10:00pm, Juneteenth Banquet / Pageant, Downtown Convention Center, 124 S. Buchanan St.
• Fri. – June 16^th 6:00-10:00pm, Juneteenth Essay / Poster Contest, Downtown Convention Center, 124 S. Buchanan
• Fri. – June 16^th The Juneteenth Story, 7:30pm, Story Performance, Wonderland Performing Arts, 2807 Johnston St.
• Sat. – June 17^th 7:00am, Juneteenth Sickle Cell Walk, Historical Heymann Park, 1500 S. Orange St.
• Sat. – June 17^th 4-8pm, SWLA Juneteenth Festival, Historical Heymann Park, 1500 S. Orange St.
• Sat. – June 17^th The Juneteenth Story, 7:30pm, Story Performance, Wonderland Performing Arts, 2807 Johnston
• Sun. – June 18^th The Juneteenth Story, 2:00pm, Story Performance, Wonderland Performing Arts, 2807 Johnston St.
• Mon. – June 19^th 10:00am – 3:00pm, Juneteenth A Freedom Celebration, 800 E. Vermilion St.
• Mon. – June 19^th 6:00-8:00pm, MTM Juneteenth Commemoration, Downtown Convention Center, 124 S. Buchanan