Juneteenth Celebrations throughout the weekend in the cape fear region

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — Juneteenth celebrations continued across the Cape Fear region throughout the weekend, with community members gathering to honor the holiday through music, education and cultural events.

At the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center on Saturday, dozens of people attended the Juneteenth Music Festival hosted by the Juneteenth Committee of Wilmington.

The event featured live music, local vendors and opportunities for attendees to connect with community organizations.

Organizer Abdul Shareef said events like the festival are important not only for commemorating history, but also for inspiring younger generations.

“You are our future. Strive for excellence. Strive for the best you can be. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t be. If you can perceive it, you can achieve it. Just commit yourselves to it. It’s in your soul to be great,” Sharef said. “They are our future leaders.”

Juneteenth celebrations also took place outside Wilmington. In Elizabethtown, community members gathered Saturday for the fourth annual Juneteenth Parade in downtown.

The parade featured participation from local organizations, schools, elected leaders and businesses, all commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans on June 19, 1865.

Additional Juneteenth events are planned in the coming days. On June 27, the 1865 Society of Pender County will host a Juneteenth celebration beginning at 10 a.m. at the Courthouse Square in downtown Burgaw.

The festival will feature live music, fashion shows, exhibits and local vendors as organizers continue to celebrate Black history, culture and community throughout the region.