City pledges support for Juneteenth festival

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
June 4, 2003
Meridian City Councilmen pledged their support Tuesday for the city's first annual Juneteenth Heritage Festival voting to spend about $5,000 for entertainment costs.
Louis Sutton, chief professional officer of United Way of East Mississippi and one of the organizers of this year's Juneteenth celebration, and others announced plans for the June 21 event at Tuesday's regular city council meeting.
Organizers say they will need to raise another $5,000 to put on the event.
Live music, food, games, political speeches and health screenings are scheduled for the first-year event, which will be held in the African American Historic Commercial District, on Fifth Street between 23rd and 26th avenues.
The festival will begin at 11 a.m. and run through 11 p.m.
Sharon Smith, head of Main Street Meridian, said she hopes the event will be a success and continue to grow in the future.