Juneteenth 2023 will be celebrated in Lincoln County on June 17.

“We are approaching a great day of fun and excitement in the name of the Juneteenth Celebration,” said Bishop Jerry Kelly Jr. “With so much negativity being highlighted in our community, we can sometimes become blind to the positive things right in front of us.”

Speaking on behalf of the Brookhaven/Lincoln County NAACP, Kelly said the organization’s goal is to “maintain our mission, which is to achieve equity, political rights and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well-being, education and economic security of black people and all persons of color.”

The celebration will be Saturday, June 17, with a noon parade beginning in front of the Lincoln County/Brookhaven Government Complex on South First Street. The parade entry fee is $10, which can be paid that day, and lineup will begin at 11 a.m.

The route will progress north from the courthouse to Main Street, turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, and continue across East Monticello Street to end at the Dr. A. L. Lott Sportsplex on South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

The celebration will be at the sportsplex with “lots of family fun, music and live performances,” Kelly said.

“We would like to acknowledge the donation of the Alderman Shannon Moore and Valerie Moore from the Valentine’s Gala they hosted, also the donations and contributions given by the members of Brookhaven/Lincoln County NAACP Branch #5268,” he said. “Just as any good organization, we are always looking for more willing and helpful hands to make the branch grow and be more successful.”

For more information, email brookhavenlincolnnaacp@gmail.com or contact branch president Rev. Dr. Rico Cain.

“We would like to thank everyone who has played a part in the efforts of justice in our community — local church leaders, community leaders and governmental leaders,” Kelly said.