8th Annual Juneteenth Parade Happens This Saturday In Acres Home

HOUSTON — Houstonians can celebrate Juneteenth this weekend with Mayor Sylvester Turner in Acres Homes. The 8th Annual Juneteenth Parade in Acres Homes takes place this Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. and has enough fun for everyone.

"Every year, this event gets bigger and better because Juneteenth is an important day throughout Texas and in Houston," Turner. "I invite everyone to watch along the parade route. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors. We'll have a great time together as a community."

The parade will feature over 100 entries, including local marching bands, dancing groups, horses, floats, vintage cars and even a few special guests.

Among the special guests taking part in the Juneteenth parade include:

• Christina Wells — 2018 Semi-Finalist on America’s Got Talent, powerhouse vocalist, registered nurse, and motivational speaker
• Trae the Truth — Iconic Houston rapper who is also a musician, father, activist, and humanitarian. He assisted flood victims during Hurricane Harvey and has contributed to several community events and causes
• Tobe Nwigwe — a first-generation Nigerian American, is a visionary from Alief making waves in the hip hop world. An independent artist and lyricist.
• Seun Adigun — Seun is a Nigerian-American bobsledder who represented Nigeria at the 2018 Winter Olympics. Seun ran track for the University of Houston and is the niece of former Houston Rockets and UH star Hakeem Olajuwon.

The excitement begins at the Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, 6719 West Montgomery, and travels north up West Montgomery to turn left on Dolly Wright and disband at Greater Zion Baptist Church and Drew Academy.

Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in Texas and the United States, and is celebrated on June 19 each year with parades and other observances. It was on June 19, 1865, that Gen. Gordon Granger landed at Galveston and shared the news that the Civil War had ended and the slaves were free.

"Juneteenth is about commemorating freedom, honoring our ancestors and building new relationships. I hope everyone will show up for this exciting event," Turner said.

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