TYLER, Texas — The Juneteenth Association of Tyler is celebrating freedom by hosting events leading up to the Juneteenth parade Saturday morning.
On Friday, the association acknowledged sponsors and awarded scholarships to fifteen students who plan to attend college in the fall.
"The Juneteenth Association of Tyler is very excited about giving back, it's a community effort, it’s not just an individual thing," secretary of the Juneteenth Association of Tyler Leslie Pettigrew said.
The Juneteenth parade starts Saturday morning at 9 a.m. from the intersection of Glenwood Blvd. and MLK Blvd. and ends at Woldert Park. There will be a family friendly celebration at the park from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
"We are so excited that we are getting together with people, and we are really sharing what Juneteenth is, it's not just about the parade, it's about informing people and educating people on what Juneteenth is," Pettigrew said.
"But, before going to the parade, I want everybody to meet me at College Hill Baptist church tonight, because we are having the Juneteenth gospel explosion and we are excited about that tonight," scholarship board member Cu'Juan Dail said.
The gospel explosion will feature singing groups from across Texas.