The New Boston Juneteenth Committee (NBJC) is preparing local events to bring a bit of Motown to the area for their third annual Juneteenth celebration.
This year, the theme is Shining Bright with Motown Lights. Festivities will kick off on June 7 with the Juneteenth pageant at Crestview Elementary School at 7 p.m.
The pageant is open to any young ladies in the region. They do not have to live in New Boston, said Patricia Thompson, NBJC president.
There will be five age categories: baby miss for 0- to 2-years-old; tiny miss for 3- to 5-years-old; little miss for 6- to 8-years-old; young miss for 9- to 11-yearsold; junior miss for 12- to 14-years old; and miss for 15- to 18-years-old.
The winner of Miss Juneteenth will be rewarded with a $250 college scholarship.
Entry fee for contestants is $35.
Events continue downtown on June 21 with the Juneteenth parade at 10 a.m. followed by the annual festival and art show at Three Bostons Museum.
“There will be food vendors, arts and crafts vendors … students artwork and any adults that want to participate,” Thompson said.
There is no charge to enter a float in the parade or artwork in the exhibit, Thompson said.
The pageant and festival are among fundraisers the Juneteenth committee puts on each year to raise money to provide scholarships to graduating seniors and educational programs for the community.
Thompson said it is important to celebrate Juneteenth because it shows the history of diversity.
“It’s for the children to know and to see that anything is possible … let the children see that everyone can work together. They don’t have to look the same to be able to work together and make something happen … It’s everyone’s history,” she said. “The board is diverse, the officers are diverse. Everybody from any culture is welcome.”
For more information on entering or to download an entry form for the pageant or the festival activities, visit the NBJC website at JuneteenthNewBoston. org.
