Downtown Kernersville will be full of music, food, fireworks, and drones this Thursday at a Juneteenth event commemorating when the last enslaved African-Americans learned of their freedom two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. 

The free and family-friendly event is set to run 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Harmon Park, 152 South Main Street. 

“From the live entertainment to the local vendors, it’s all about connection,” Parks and Recreation Events Manager Ashley Sinclair told Scope News. “There’s something really special about watching families, neighbors, and friends gather to celebrate freedom, culture, and unity in one space.”

Inspirational speaker Brian Campbell will deliver the keynote address, American Idol contestant Joy Cone will perform, and the Divine Nine — a collection of the nine historically Black fraternities and sororities that have taken on leadership and activist roles in their communities — will be present. 

Korner’s Folly will kick off the celebrations from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a flash mob dance and special Juneteenth program about Clara Korner with a tour of her home and personal artifacts. Tours of the main home will also be free during this time. 

New this year, Kernersville’s Juneteenth is joining forces with the broader Triad Cultural Arts programming. The partnership began when Ernie Pages from the Parks & Recreation department reached out to organization, resulting in the town’s sponsorship of last year’s TCA Juneteenth Festival in Winston-Salem. This year, they identified ways to amplify both celebrations. 

“Juneteenth is an American story that every town and city can call their own,” TCA Executive Director Abrea Armstrong told Scope News. “I grew up off of Kernersville Road and it was always a community full of all shades and colors of people. Having the celebration be throughout Forsyth County exemplifies how shared experiences can bring us together and unite our communities — and that each of our stories is worth telling.”

Find more information about the celebration here.

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