Grand Prairie schedules three-day Juneteenth weekend with parade, free food and scholarships

Pastor Preston Dixon, a local organizer, and Denise Gambrell, vice president of the Juneteenth committee, told viewers on the community program It's Happening in Grand Prairie that the city’s Juneteenth celebration will span three days in June, beginning with a volleyball event at Dalworth Recreation Center, continuing with a Friday-night program at Epic Central and culminating Saturday with a parade downtown and a festival at Tyre Park.

The weekend will start Thursday evening at the Dalworth Recreation Center with a competition volleyball event and complimentary food, Dixon said. Friday’s program at Epic Central will include a live band, line dancing and food trucks; organizers said events run Friday from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday begins with a parade at the Liberty Bell area downtown and concludes at Tyre Park in the Dalworth community, where vendors, free food and free swimming for kids are planned.

“This is going to be such a momentous weekend,” Dixon said, describing the events as “a freedom celebration” marking Emancipation and Juneteenth. Gambrell, who has helped organize the celebration since 1999, said the committee also runs an essay contest and scholarships for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. She said the contest awards first, second and third place scholarships and that organizers sometimes provide additional awards when funds permit.

Gambrell placed the holiday in historical context during the interview, saying Juneteenth marks a long struggle for freedom and education and noting the year’s anniversary: “this year, is a milestone year because you know that's a hundred and 60 years of freedom,” she said. She told listeners the celebration is intended to honor that history and to teach younger generations why the holiday matters.

Organizers said parade participants should meet downtown at the Liberty Bell City Hall site for lineup; Gambrell is overseeing parade lineup and will provide instructions. The host noted the Liberty Bell monument is temporarily removed for refurbishing but that the usual meeting location will still be used for lineup.

Organizers said flyers listing contact phone numbers and email addresses are available and that Dalworth Recreation Center is a local contact for more information.

The program’s hosts and organizers encouraged broad community participation, describing the weekend as family-oriented and free to attend for many events. Dixon said the weekend’s theme includes unity across races and generations and emphasized giving back to the community.

For parade and volunteer information, organizers advised checking the committee flyer or contacting Dalworth Recreation Center; specific phone numbers and email addresses were provided on the event flyer but were not read in full on air.