By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – The city of Montevallo will once again gather to honor freedom, community and Black heritage during its third annual Juneteenth celebration, set for Thursday, June 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at George Dailey Park.

Hosted by the Montevallo Parks & Recreation Board, this year’s event will blend tradition, reflection and celebration, with a dynamic program of performances, recognitions and the unveiling of the Selma Road Black Business District historical marker.

The event is free and open to the public. It will kick off at 10 a.m. with the unveiling ceremony, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs and stay for lunch, which will be provided.

Juneteenth, now a federal holiday, commemorates June 19, 1865—the day enslaved African Americans in Texas learned they had been emancipated two years earlier. It has since become a nationwide day of reflection and celebration of freedom and Black culture.

This year’s program will be led by Master and Mistress of Ceremonies Mr. C.P. and Mrs. Lillie Pierson and will feature remarks from Mayor Rusty Nix, Pastor Elijah Smith, Minister Vivian Bolden, Rev. Alfonzo Colvin, Maxine Morgan, Clifford DuBose of the Parks and Recreation Board and Councilwoman Lelia Mitchell.

Entertainment will include performances by the University of Montevallo Gospel Chorus and Hope Dance and Arts. Local businesses Good Shepherd Funeral Home and It’s About Time Barber Shop will also be recognized for their contributions to the community.

Dozens of community partners will be on-site, including Montevallo Main Street, Impact Montevallo, the Montevallo Junior City Council, Montevallo Legacy Project, Shelby County NAACP, Parnell Memorial Library, Survivor’s Rock, Inc., the town of Wilton and Gamma Phi Delta Sorority Inc. Alpha Pi Chapter.

“The event has grown every year, with more people in attendance, as well as more activities and community resource vendors,” said Courtney Bennett, the executive director of Montevallo Main Street. “Main Streets are for everyone. It’s important to us as a city to recognize our Black community and honor them on Juneteenth and every day.”

This year’s unveiling of the Selma Road Black Business District historical marker marks another milestone in Montevallo’s ongoing efforts to preserve and honor Black history. The new marker will become the sixth in the city’s Montevallo African American Heritage Trail, a project spearheaded by the Montevallo Legacy Project.

Other heritage initiatives include the “Untold Stories of Black Montevallo” publication series and the installation of a historical marker on Main Street in partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative.

Bennett discussed why George Dailey Park was chosen as the event’s location.

“The Montevallo Parks and Recreation Board, which is an all-volunteer group, chose this event as a catalyst to do more programming in Dailey Park,” Bennett said. “Most special events occur in our larger parks, but even though Dailey Park is one of our smallest parks, it’s still an important part of our community. In recent years the city has made several investments in the park in the form of a covered pavilion, bathrooms and more.”

The celebration aims to continue to shine a light on Black voices, culture and contributions in Montevallo—past and present—while welcoming all community members to gather in fellowship, joy and remembrance.