Second Annual Katy Juneteenth Parade & Festival Set for June 19
The Katy community is gearing up for the second annual Katy, Texas Juneteenth Parade & Festival set for Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Hosted by the Katy Texas African American Heritage Society, all are encouraged to celebrate African American heritage and commemorate the landmark date that marked the end of slavery in the United States.
The Juneteenth celebrations will kick off with a parade led by Grand Marshal Judge Teana Watson at 10:00 AM, beginning at the First Baptist Church, located at 600 Pin Oak Road in Katy. The procession will culminate at Woodsland Park, located at 443 Danover Road in Katy, transforming into a vibrant festival from 12:00 to 3:00 PM. Food, art, music, and a dedicated Kids Zone will keep the festivalgoers entertained throughout the day. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for a comfortable experience.
The Kids Zone at the inaugural Katy, Texas Juneteenth Parade & Festival last year.Juneteenth, observed every year on June 19, is a holiday of significant cultural and historical importance for African Americans. The Katy, Texas Juneteenth Parade & Festival pays homage to African American heritage in Katy, honoring early settlers like Milton McGinnis, who bought 200 acres of land along the Buffalo Bayou's western end in an area once known as Cane Island after emancipation, according to the festival planners. Such early settlers contributed significantly to the African American community in Katy, creating schools, homes, businesses, churches, and even a burial site.
Last year’s inaugural event saw Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagan preside as the Grand Marshal along with other local government representatives in attendance including the Katy City Council with Mayor Dusty Thiele. Various sororities, fraternities, and organizations participated and volunteered, including including the Katy Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Chi Omicron Omega Chapter, and the Katy-Fulshear Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
Katy Mayor and City Council members at the inaugural Katy, Texas Juneteenth Parade & Festival last year.(Source: Katy Texas African American Heritage Society)
Those interested in volunteering at the event can sign up online here. Similarly, those interested in participating in the parade can register online here until June 1, 2024. Vendor registration is also open for businesses, nonprofits, sororities/fraternities, and more, with registration here. This year, due to city regulations, food vendors will not be allowed in the park. Nonprofits distributing information can set up for free, and all other vendors will be charged $50 per table.
With the festival being a family-friendly event open to all, it is expected to be a day of joyous celebration, rooted in the poignant history of the African American community. For any assistance or questions, the event organizers can be reached at katyblackheritage@gmail.com.
 |
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
|
