Round Rock Poised To Stage Community Juneteenth Celebration

ROUND ROCK, TX — The city is poised to stage its 10th annual Round Rock Juneteenth Rhythm and Ribs Festival on Friday.

As in past years, the event is being organized by The Voice Inc. and the city's Parks and Recreation Department. The community event is scheduled on Friday, June 15, from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., with a full day of entertainment on Saturday, June 16, from 2 p.m. to midnight at the Lakeview Pavilion in Old Settlers Park located at 3300 E. Palm Valley Blvd.

The festivities kick off on Friday at 7:45 p.m. with an opening ceremony featuring Round Rock

Mayor Craig Morgan and members of the Round Rock City Council. The entertainment begins with Memphis Train Revue followed by headliner and international superstar Doug E. Fresh. The first human beatbox in

the rap world, and still the freshest of all time, Doug E. Fresh amazed audiences with his note-perfect imitations of drum machines, effects, and often large samples of hip-hop classics, officials noted. The artist was born Doug E. Davis in Barbados, and he officially emerged in 1983 on a single for Spotlight called

“Pass the Budda,” with Spoonie Gee and DJ Spivey.

The Fresh One's introduction to most hip-hop fans, though, came one year later with his astonishing performance in Beat Street behind the Treacherous Three, according to a supplied bio. His first solo features also came in 1984, with “Just Having Fun,” waxed for Enjoy, and “Original Human Beatbox” for Vinentertainment. By 1985, Fresh was one of the biggest names in rap music, and his first single for Reality, “The Show/La Di Da Di,” became a hip-hop classic. It was recorded with his Get Fresh Crew, including

MC Ricky D (only later to gain fame as Slick Rick), along with Barry Bee and Chill Will. His first LP in 1987 titled "Oh, My God!" featured most of his showpieces, including “Play This Only at Night” and “All the Way

to Heaven,” along with nods to reggae and even gospel. His second album the following year, The World’s Greatest Entertainer, broke into the Billboard charts thanks to another hot single, “Keep Risin’ to the Top.”

Saturday evening entertainment includes the explosive energy of Next Town Down, a musical assemblage comprising five guys who found each other through social media and got together to start something the world has never seen before, their bio reads. "They are on a journey of a lifetime, and want everyone to be a part of it," their representatives noted. Follow them via social media to track their path to the top by subscribing to their newsletter to get the latest updates on what they are up to and more.

But a community event such as this wouldn't be complete without clowns, moonwalks, games, health fair, specialty food, retail vendors and much, much more. And there will be those things. Additionally, Round Rock Police Department will be hosting family activities for kids along with the U.S. Armed forces.

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the emancipation of slavery in the state of Texas. Historically, the celebration falls on June 19 and commemorates the day in 1865 that Texans were told by Union troops that the Civil War had ended and that all slaves were now freed. Though the Emancipation Proclamation became official on Jan. 1, 1863, there was little impact on the lives of Texans until 1865. Today, Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures.

For more information about the Juneteenth Celebration, visit www.thevoicerr.com or roundrocktexas.org/Juneteenth. Admission is FREE and parking is just $5 per car.

Entertainment Schedule

Friday, June 15

7:45 p.m. Opening ceremony

8:00 p.m. Memphis Train Revue

10:30 p.m. Doug E. Fresh

Saturday, June 16

2:00 p.m. Festival Opens

2:30 p.m Probable Cause

4:00 p.m. BBQ Cook-off winners announced

5:00 p.m. OWBC Judah Praise

5:35 p.m. OWBC Sanctuary Choir

6:10 p.m. The Levites

7:25 p.m. Soul Tree Collective

8:30 p.m. Don Diego

10:30 p.m. Next Town Down

>>> Images via City of Round Rock