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VIDALIA, La. — A three-day celebration of Juneteenth in Concordia Parish begins Thursday, June 13 and lasts through Saturday, June 15, with large events happening in both Ferriday and Vidalia.

The kick-off is a welcome reception and “1990s takeback stage play” featuring famous African Americans beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Delta Music Museum Arcade Theater in Ferriday.

The welcome also includes the introduction of 2024 award recipients Clarence L. Hyman, Henderson Cook, Fred Marsalis and Willie Dunbar.

On Friday, June 14, the “Parade of Legends” along E.E. Wallace Boulevard begins at 6 p.m. followed by a “Battle of the DJ’s” Block Party at 8 p.m. on Louisiana Avenue.

Vidalia joins Ferriday in celebrating Friday evening with fireworks on the riverfront. Then comes the Music & Blues Concert on Saturday, June 15, from noon to 8 p.m. also on the riverfront.

Performers include Funyama, Stacii Adams, Brea Wooten, Big Mel, and Rodnae Da Boss.

This year’s Juneteenth celebration also includes the formal presentation of the first ever Miss Juneteenth, recent Vidalia High School graduate Madison Riquel Jackson who was crowned at a Miss Juneteenth Pageant at the Arcade Theater on May 4 and received a $2,500 scholarship.

She is the daughter of Raven and Stanley Smith and Demorius Jackson and was a member of the VHS Student Council, Beta Club, Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), the Women’s Empowerment Club, and the VHS track and field team. She plans to attend Southern University in Baton Rouge to become a dentist.

Visit www.louisianajuneteenth.com to reserve a free ticket to the concert and for event details.