UAPB Hosts First Juneteenth Arts & Culture Festival

Courtesy of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) is proud to host the inauguralĀ Juneteenth in the Bluff: Arts & Culture FestivalĀ on Friday, June 14, 2024, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Pine Bluff’s downtownĀ Delta Rhythm and Bayous Cultural District (3rd & Main).Ā This festival, sponsored by the Pine Bluff Advertising and Promotion Commission, is a free and open invitation to all members of our diverse community.

To kick off the Juneteenth weekend, the evening-long festival will feature the soulful tunes ofĀ Blues Hall of Famer Latimore,Ā the electrifying performances of the hard-hitting, rhythm-makingĀ Fuzzy Jeffries, and the Kings of Memphis,Ā and the powerful voice ofĀ Ms Zeno, The Mojo Queen, and other local musicians. The celebration of freedom festival will also feature a vibrant farmers market and farm-to-table food tastings by the ACF Arkansas Delta Chefs Association, engaging art activities for youth, captivating art exhibits by the UAPB Art Department, and a variety of vendor booths. Don’t miss out on the chance to win exciting giveaways or indulge in the food and beverage delights for purchase offered by our food trucks.

ā€œThe Juneteenth in the Bluff festival celebrates freedom and triumph and embraces the region’s rich arts and culture legacy,ā€ UAPB Vice Chancellor of Institutional Advancement George Cotton said. ā€œWe are thrilled about bringing this event to our community and look forward to showcasing the amazing talent on display.ā€

Juneteenth, short for June 19, commemorates the day enslaved African Americans in Texas finally learned of their freedom, two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. Notably, Juneteenth occurred only seven years before the founding of Branch Normal College, now UAPB. Join us as we honor this shared history and celebrate the progress we’ve made.