3rd Annual Juneteenth Parade & Festival

The 3rd Annual Juneteenth Parade & Festival returns on June 19, with a full day of celebration, education, and cultural pride. Hosted by the Katy Texas African American Heritage Society, the event begins at 10:00 AM with a parade from First Baptist Church and continues with a free community festival from 12:00 to 3:00 PM at Woodsland Park.

This year’s event commemorates the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth, the historic day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas learned of their emancipation—over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

• Grand Marshal: Carmen Turner, Fort Bend County Tax Assessor Collector
• Live performances, youth groups, and civic leaders
• Free kids’ meals, snow cones, bounce house, foam party & Kids Zone
• Local food trucks, music, art, and vendor booths
• Nonprofit and business outreach opportunities

Founded in 2022 by descendants of early settlers, the Katy Texas African American Heritage Society works to preserve the legacy of Danover—a historic Black community established just months after emancipation by freedman Milton McGinnis.

This year's Juneteenth celebration also introduces a membership initiative to fund home preservation efforts and educational scholarships for youth.

To learn more or get involved, email katyblackheritage@gmail.com. Join Katy in honoring African American heritage, local history, and community spirit at this important and joyful event.