Juneteenth “NColor” celebration to honor Black coastal heritage

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — A community Juneteenth celebration is set to take place this weekend at Seabreeze, the historic Black beach area in coastal North Carolina, bringing together families, artists, and cultural organizations for an evening focused on freedom, legacy, and community.

The event, titled Juneteenth NColor: A Black Beach Juneteenth Celebration at Seabreeze, will be held Saturday, June 20 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Seabreeze in Carolina Beach. Organizers describe the gathering as both a celebration and a “homecoming,” honoring generations of Black families who built traditions, joy, and community along the coast.

The event is hosted by WilmingtoNColor, NColor Festivals, and the Freeman family. Organizers say the celebration is designed to recognize the cultural and historical significance of Seabreeze and Freeman’s Beach as important sites in North Carolina’s Black coastal history.

Attendees can expect a variety of activities, including food vendors and local cuisine, live fire-breathing performances, art activities, cultural games, face painting, and family-friendly entertainment. The event will also feature music, community programming, and historical exhibits focused on Wilmington, Seabreeze, and Freeman’s Beach.

Organizers say the celebration goes beyond Juneteenth programming, aiming to reclaim space and highlight the cultural legacy of Black and Indigenous coastal communities in southeastern North Carolina.

The event also marks the launch of expanded immersive experiences offered by WilmingtoNColor, which will explore the history of the Freeman family, Seabreeze, and Freeman’s Beach through guided storytelling and cultural programming.

Tickets for the event are available on a pay-what-you-can basis, with more details on the WilmingtoNColor website.