Juneteenth celebration to focus on history, culture and art
A Historic Walking Tour will be led by Tyrone Terry, a local civil rights advocate who was shot in a racially-motivated incident in Uptown Lexington in 1965. Terry, age 15 time of the shooting, raises his hand for education as he still bears the bullet in his body. (Contributed Photo)
From a historic tour of one of Lexington’s most prominent Black communities to music, food and festivities, organizers say this year’s Juneteenth celebration has something for everyone to enjoy.
On Saturday, June 19, Anything for Our Youth, in collaboration with City of Lexington, Davidson-Davie County Community College, Uptown Lexington, Inc., Lexington Chamber of Commerce, Lexington Visitors Center, will host the event. Admission is free to the public. Food and craft vendors will have select items for sale.
Anything for Our Youth Group founder and organizer Tina Royal is hopeful this event will help unite members of the Davidson County community. “We are bringing unity in our community,” explained Royal. “Bringing everybody together to educate, celebrate and partake in food celebration, vendors and music.” Nonprofit organizations, civic groups, clubs, fraternities, sororities, church groups and other organizations are to come out and join this community event by setting up tables and sharing information about their organizations.
The virtual event will begin at 3 p.m. The History Walking Tour will commence at 6 p.m. at St. Stephen UMC, 100 E. 1st St., Lexington, NC and will continue the tour walking to the 4th Street Park, 412 E. Fourth St., Lexington. There will be food trucks, vendors, music, children’s activities and more. Participants are encouraged to practice safe social distancing throughout the event and it’s recommended that attendees wear masks.
Juneteenth is a nationwide celebration in commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th is considered the African American Emancipation Day.
The History Walking Tour will be led by Tyrone Terry, a local civil rights advocate who was shot by Charles Hedrick in a racially-motivated incident in Uptown Lexington in 1965. Terry, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, still bears the bullet meant to bring harm.
His tour will feature the location where Terry was attacked on Main Street at age 15 and the location he was first shot at as early as 12-years-old. But Terry said the tour will include much more - “facts about different entrepreneurs, education who built east Lexington.” Terry recalls, “There were so many black entrepreneurs, barbers, beauticians, store owners, restaurants, daycares and funeral homes.” The tour ends at the side of the former Dunbar Elementary school. Terry says education is essential, therefore, the tour will focus on emphasizing education and achievement.
More details will be announced on the Anything for Our Youth Group website and social media pages. To register, visit: Eventbrite. For information, email afoygroup@gmail.com.
