Juneteenth Jubilee set to kick off at 11 a.m. Saturday

ALBANY — Dougherty County’s second Juneteenth celebration is set for Saturday, with the Juneteenth Jubilee in downtown Albany culminating a series of events leading up to the big day.

This year the county teamed up with the city of Albany to pool resources and provide a bigger musical lineup than the 2022 edition.

The event kicks off at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Park Amphitheater, located at 100 W. Oglethorpe Blvd.

“It’s just a day of fun for all ages,” said Tee Taylor, recreation supervisor with the Albany Recreation and Parks Department. “It’s just going to be a day to get out there and dance the day away.

“They just wanted to come together as one and have a big event to celebrate. This year we wanted it to be bigger and better.”

The Juneteenth holiday falls on July 19, and was added last year as a paid holiday for city and county workers. Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of slaves in the United States and was declared as a federal holiday in June 2022.

Preceding events in the “Journey to Juneteenth” included a 5k run and family bike ride held on Friday. A kids movie night was canceled twice due to inclement weather.

On Saturday, there will be vendors, food trucks, bounce houses and kids’ activities for a day of fun for the whole family.

“The highlight this year is the bands,” Taylor said.

Rutha Harris and the Albany Freedom Singers will return for the second Juneteenth celebration. The Freedom Singers were formed in 1962 and were an integral part of the national civil rights movement, often sharing the stage with Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders.

The group takes the stage at 11:15 a.m., and will be followed at noon by the Compilation Band. TK Soul is scheduled to take the stage at 1:30 p.m.

“I would describe it as a variety of music,” Taylor said. “A little soul, rock and roll, music from the ’80s, just all kinds of music.”

Admission to the Jubilee is free. The Flint River Entertainment Complex policy requires that all bags carried inside be clear, and that policy will be enforced for the event.

“We’re inviting everybody to be safe, drink plenty of water,” Taylor said. “We just invite everyone to come out and have a good time.”

Special Photo: Dougherty County