It has long been recognized as the largest Juneteenth celebration in the state of Texas and this year, it returns with a theme of “Taking it to the Next Level.”
This week’s Juneteenth celebrations in Odessa will take place from June 14-18 with numerous events at various places.
The events are put on by the Black Cultural Council of Odessa.
“We’re excited, as always,” Black Cultural Council of Odessa President Jo Ann Davenport Littleton said. “It’s a joy to be able to host something like this for the community. We try to have events for the whole family. We do our best to make sure that the events are free or affordable because we don’t want anyone missing out because we have something to celebrate. If you leave people out, that’s not good. Our events are always inclusive. It’s for the community. It’s not just targeted to one group of people but to the whole community. It’s a celebration but we take time during this celebration to educate our community and the citizens of Odessa.”
Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. Usually held annually on June 19, it became a federally recognized holiday two years ago.
Juneteenth’s commemoration is on the anniversary date of June 19, 1865 when the announcement of General Order No.3 by Union Army general Gordon Granger was made, proclaiming freedom of enslaved people in Texas.
This year’s Juneteenth events in Odessa will range from the opening gospel celebration to a parade, as well as basketball tournaments and youth in the park.
There will also be special guests coming to town including track and field star from the University of Texas at Austin Lauryn Caldwell.
The week’s festivities will begin with a kickoff celebration and ribbon cutting at noon June 14 at Woodson Park.
“We’ll have the three chambers present,” Littleton said. “We’ll have all of our sponsors. We’re going to have music and barbecue sandwiches. We’re going to set the tone for five days of celebration. We encourage everyone to come to our kickoff.”
Later that day will be a Gospel Celebration at 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church on 405 N. Lee.
The Gospel Celebration will include musical guest American Gospel singer Zacardi Cortez.
“When we talk about African American people, we can’t help but think about our culture and our culture is a faith-based group of people,” Littleton said. “We believe in God. We have faith and what better way to start a five-day celebration with a gospel celebration. We kick off with putting God first and once you do that, everything else falls in line.”
The gospel celebration will feature pastor Bradley Hale from the Mt. Horeb Missionary Baptist Church in Center.
“This is our first time having him,” Littleton said. “We’re excited about him. He’s a young minister. We’re going to have a great time.”
The celebration continues with the annual All White Party which is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. June 15 at the Odessa Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.
The All White Party will feature musical guest Dominque Hammons.
Tickets for the All White Party are $50 per person.
The Juneteenth Pageant will take place at 7 p.m. June 16 at Blackshear Elementary.
Friday and Saturday will feature the Danny Wright Juneteenth Basketball Tournament at the Woodson Boys and Girls Club.
There will also be the Fourth Annual Regina McKnight Juneteenth Volleyball Tournament Friday evening and Saturday with all games taking place at Ector Fieldhouse.
Youth in the Park will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 17 at Woodson Park and feature different activities.
Caldwell will be the guest speaker at an interactive social skills workshop called “Taking it to the Next Level” beginning at 2 p.m. June 17 at the Woodson Community Center.
Caldwell is a former standout track and field star at UT, setting numerous records including the school record in the hammer throw.
It’ll be her second time back in the Permian Basin since February.
“We had her back for one of our educational workshops earlier this year and it was such a success that the community wanted her to come back,” Littleton said. “They felt that everyone needed to hear her story so we’re bringing Lauryn back and we’re excited about her.”
This year’s Juneteenth parade will start at 7 p.m. June 17 with the route beginning on Dixie Blvd. before continuing to Murphy St. and ending at Barrett Dr.
The Hometown Heroes will take place at 9 p.m. at the Main Stage at the Woodson Community Center and will honor Bobbie Caufield, Stella Stevenson and Lula Mae Washington. Afterwards will be the Battle of the DJ’s featuring DJ One Way and DJ Eden at the Woodson Community Center.
The Sixth Annual 35 and Older Legends Juneteenth Basketball Tournament will start at 1 p.m. June 18 at the Woodson Boys and Girls Club.
The week’s events will close with Shout Cheerleading by Welton on the Main Stage at the Woodson Community Center at 8 p.m. June 18 followed by Laff’ n Outside with the Lord at the same location.
“Organized is the key word,” Littleton said. “We have the largest organized Juneteenth celebration. Everyone’s not just over here doing their own thing. We come together as a community and do our best to make sure that everyone can be a part. We try to get sponsors so that people can afford to come to our events. To us, it’s not just one big party. It’s a celebration. But it’s not just one big party.”
For more information regarding this year’s Juneteenth events, go to odessabcc.org/juneteenth.
If you go
- What: Kickoff celebration.
- When: noon June 14.
- Where: Woodson Community Park.
- What: Juneteenth Gospel Celebration.
- When: 7:30 p.m. June 14.
- Where: First United Methodist Church (405 N. Lee Street).
- What: All White Party.
- When: 9:30 p.m. June 15 (doors open at 9 p.m.).
- Where: Odessa Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.
- Price of admission: $50 per person.
- To purchase tickets: call 432-212-6700 or 432-853-1344.
- What: Juneteenth Pageants.
- When: 7 p.m. June 16.
- Where: Blackshear Elementary.
- What: Youth in the Park.
- When: noon-1:30 p.m. June 17.
- Where: Woodson Community Park.
- What: “Taking it to the Next Level” Workshop.
- Where: 2 p.m. June 17.
- Where: Woodson Community Center.
- What: Parade.
- When: 7 p.m. June 17.
- Where: Parade route goes north on Dixie Blvd. to Murphy St. before turning right and heading east on Murphy St. before ending on Barrett Drive.
- What: Hometown Heroes.
- When: 9 p.m. June 17.
- Where: Woodson Community Center.
- What: Shout Cheerleading.
- When: 8 p.m. June 18.
- When: Woodson Community Center.
- What: Laff’ N Outside with the Lord.
- When: 9:30 p.m. June 18.
- Where: Woodson Community Center.
