The Town of Greeneville and George Clem Multicultural Alliance announce the entertainment lineup for Greeneville’s second annual Juneteenth celebration. The local event will offer free festivities for all ages from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at Bicentennial Park in the Big Spring behind the Greeneville-Greene County Library.
Headlining entertainment is Jay Davis, who will take the stage at around 6 p.m. Davis has been singing since age 7 and brings a more country/hip-hop style of music to the stage. Other entertainers leading up to the headliner include Leslie Crutcher, Curtis Anderson, and Carol Guthrie.
The celebration will begin at 4 p.m. with a welcome from Town officials with Candi Turner and Shanda Story of GCMA. Scripture reading and prayer will be led by Father Ken Saunders of St. James Episcopal Church. Carol Guthrie will lead the crowd in singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Next in the entertainment lineup will be a presentation from Emcee William Isom, who is the director of the Black In Appalachia Program, a non-profit whose mission is to highlight the history and contributions of African-Americans in the development of the Mountain South and its culture.
In addition to live entertainment, the Juneteenth celebration will feature food vendors and activities throughout the day. Island Vibe Grill, Floyd’s Snack Shack, Creamy Cup, and What the Fluff cotton candy will be selling food and treats. The Kids’ Zone hosted by FCC Greene will feature oversized Jenga, Connect-4, and bubbles. Other activities include inflatables, face painting, an art activity from the Greeneville Arts Council, firefighters with their fire truck, and many other activities. The Greeneville City Schools Book Bus will also be there. Attendees are asked to bring their own lawn chair or picnic blanket to enjoy the festivities.
Admission is free thanks to these sponsors: Andrew Johnson Bank, Atlas Books, Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County, C&C Millwright, Consumer Credit Union, Friends of the GCMA, Greeneville Federal Bank, Grand Rental of Greeneville, TN, Greeneville Parks & Recreation, Heritage Community Bank, Premium Waters, and the Tennessee Arts Commission.
More details can be found at www.facebook.com, then search for the event “Greeneville Juneteenth” or by visiting www.greenevilletn.gov.
Juneteenth, which became a federal holiday in 2021, commemorates the June 19, 1865, announcement proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in Texas, the last state of the Confederacy with institutional slavery.
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Carla Bewley at [email protected] or 423-639-8322. If you would like to volunteer at the event or set up an informational booth, please contact Christina Potts at [email protected] or 423-783-2860.
