Juneteenth: Join the party

Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S. of A., when those slave-owning Democrats were finally defeated by the great Abraham Lincoln and his Republic Army. Too bad it took 'em two years to get the memo!

Texas, our great state, was the last to comply, but we got there in the end. Now we got the feds recognition and all sorts of celebrations comin' up. Here's the lowdown:

Juneteenth Festival BBQ Taste-Off

• When: June 14, 7-11 p.m.
• Location: Old Settlers Park, Round Rock
• Deal: BBQ competition with live music.

Juneteenth Festival Round Rock

• When: June 15, 5 p.m.-midnight
• Location: Same as above
• Deal: Concert feat. Lloyd, Paul Wall, and 1K Spin. No weird music, just good vibes.

Central Texas Juneteenth Parade and Festival

• When: June 15, 10 a.m.-noon (parade), noon-9 p.m. (festival)
• Location: Parade - MLK Blvd and Leona St; Festival - Rosewood and Boggy Creek Park
• Deal: Parade and festival with all the fixins - food, music, and kid's stuff.

A Juneteenth House Party

• When: June 15, 1-3 p.m.
• Location: 1501 E. 12th St.
• Deal: Outdoor party celebratin' the history of Dr. Thomas H. Davis, a Black doctor who did good.

Leander Juneteenth Block Party

• When: June 15, 5-9 p.m.
• Location: Robin Bledsoe Park, Leander
• Deal: Live music, food, crafts, bounce houses, and even a pool!

Freedom Fest

• When: June 15, noon-4 p.m.
• Location: Turner Roberts Recreation Center
• Deal: Slingshots, comedy, music, and free grub. What's not to love?

Black Makers Market

• When: June 15, noon-6 p.m.
• Location: African American Cultural and Heritage Facility
• Deal: Over 40 vendors, food, DJs, and giveaways.

Community Juneteenth

• When: June 15, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Location: Carver Branch of Austin Public Library

• Deal: African dancers, puppet show, fashion, art, and a DJ.

Buda Juneteenth Jubilee

• When: June 15, 1-5 p.m.
• Location: Buda Amp and City Park
• Deal: Music, dance, food, and shoppin'.

Juneteenth Community Celebration

• When: June 15, 1-4 p.m.
• Location: Willie Mae Kirk Branch of Austin Public Library
• Deal: Food, games, music, face paintin', and crafts.

Juneteenth Festival with Scarface

• When: June 15-19, check schedule
• Location: George Washington Carver Museum
• Deal: Cookout, concert, readings, and a drag ball.

The Neill-Cochran House Museum Juneteenth Celebration

• When: June 22, noon-5 p.m.
• Location: Neill-Cochran House Museum
• Deal: New exhibit, tours of the old slave quarters, and gospel music.

Y'all enjoy these celebrations and remember, freedom ain't free!