Juneteenth Festival Scheduled This Weekend In Round Rock

ROUND ROCK, TX — Looking for something to do this weekend? The 9th annual Round Rock Juneteenth Rhythm and Ribs Festival could be just the ticket.

The event kicks off Friday (June 16) from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. ahead of a full day of entertainment on Saturday, June 17, from 2 p.m. to midnight at the Lakeview Pavilion in Old Settlers Park, 3300 E. Palm Valley Blvd. Admission and parking both are free.

Back by popular demand on Friday, the headliners will be Cupid and the Dance Party Express. As city officials put it in a press release: "In 2007, Bryson “Cupid” Bernard shuffled his way into the hearts of millions with the up-tempo party song “Cupid Shuffle,” which also inspired the popular dance craze of the same name."

The “Cupid Shuffle” reached No. 66 on the Billboard Hot 100. From appearances on nationally syndicated TV and radio talk shows such as Dr. Oz, Steve Harvey and Tom Joyner to breaking the Guinness Book of World Records in 2008 for the largest line dance assembled with more than 17,000 people, Cupid virtually re-shaped dance music and created an entirely new genre, officials note.

Saturday evening entertainment includes American Idol Finalist, SĀVION.

"Born in Galveston and raised on a ranch in small-town Texas, SĀVION became infatuated with music and began learning the upright bass at the age of eight," officials write. "From there, he taught himself piano, guitar and a multitude of other instruments. To top it all off, he is also a talented whistler. He commands the stage with a powerful sound and raw emotion that draws the audience in from the first note. With a plethora of genres under his belt he has been likened to many mainstream artists."

He self-released his first EP titled “Breathing Underwater” in early 2014, after becoming a semi-finalist on FOX’s American Idol selling over 38,000 copies reaching the Top 10 Alternative charts on iTunes. The artists plans to embark on a nationwide tour to share his vision, his voice, and recognition-worthy lyrics very soon, officials said.

But that's not all! Clowns, moonwalks, games, health fair, specialty food, retail vendors and much, much more will be at the Juneteenth celebration. Additionally, Round Rock Police Department will be hosting family activities for kids along with the U.S. Armed forces.

The Juneteenth Rhythm and Ribs Festival is sponsored by 96.3 RnB Radio Austin and the Round Rock Express. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the emancipation of slavery in the state of Texas. Historically, the celebration falls on June 19th and commemorates the day in 1865 that Texans were told by Union troops that the Civil War had ended and that all slaves were now freed. Though the Emancipation Proclamation became official on January 1, 1863, there was little impact on the lives of Texans until 1865. Today, Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures.

For more information about the Juneteenth celebration and to register for the barbeque contest, visit www.thevoicerr.com or RoundRockRecreation.com/Juneteenth.

ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE:

Friday, June 16
7:30 p.m. All U Need
9:00 p.m. Cupid and the Dance Party Express

Saturday, June 17
2:00 p.m. Festival Opens
3:00 p.m. Opening Ceremony
3:30 p.m. One Way Baptist Church Choir
4:00 p.m. BBQ Cook-Off Winners Announced
5:30 p.m. Soultree Collective
7:00 p.m. Young Hub City
9:00 p.m. Savion

So head on over to Round Rock, y'all! And happy Juneteenth Day!

>>> Photo credit: Jennifer Rangubphai via Wikimedia Commons of Juneteenth memorial monument in Austin, Texas, by sculptor Adrienne Rison