Reservations for Paducah’s celebratory and inclusive Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration are now open! The NAACP and The Carson Center, in partnership with the City of Paducah, will host an inclusive and joyous event for the third consecutive year to celebrate Juneteenth – a National Day of Remembrance on the anniversary of June 19, 1865, the day enslaved people in Galveston, Texas learned they were free.

This year’s celebration, emceed by Paducah native, NFL football player and actor Curtis Hamilton, will take place at The Carson Center on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 5:00 PM with an inspiring program in the theater followed by a fish fry supper and celebratory concert on the lawn.

A limited number of reserved tickets will be made available for purchase that include a meal option of fried catfish or chicken tenders from Big Ed’s and a reserved seat in the theater and on the lawn.

Students! The Juneteenth Essay Contest deadline has been extended to NEXT FRIDAY, May 17. Current and upcoming high school students are encouraged to submit a short essay, poem or spoken word piece on the topic of Juneteenth and its role in our society. Essays can focus on the history, significance, celebration of, or personal experiences with Juneteenth. Each essayist will receive a free admission to the event. Information online at https://www.thecarsoncenter.org/events/detail/juneteenth