Juneteenth celebrated by Cantonians with cleanup day, 5k, block party

Special to The Canton News 

Residents of Canton came together to celebrate Juneteenth with a weekend of community-focused events, including a citywide cleanup, a 5k run/walk and a festive block party.

The celebration kicked off Friday morning with a Community Impact Day. Volunteers gathered across all wards to pick up litter, spruce up parks and help beautify the city. Organized in partnership with local civic leaders, the effort underscored the importance of unity and pride in the community.

That evening, the celebration continued with a lively block party in downtown Canton. The square was filled with music, food vendors, family activities and fellowship. Attendees enjoyed live entertainment and dancing as the community came together to mark the end of slavery in the United States and reflect on progress and purpose.

Juneteenth, observed annually on June 19, commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas were informed of their freedom—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

Canton’s Juneteenth events emphasized both service and celebration, offering a space to remember the past while building a stronger, more connected future.