North Texas Daily

Photos by James Coreas/ Editor-in-Chief

William A. Darnell / Senior Staff Writer

Photos by James Coreas / Editor in Chief

Denton celebrated its 43rd Juneteenth festival this weekend at Fred Moore Park. Events took place Friday and Saturday, including live music, games and booths for children, softball tournaments and more than a dozen food vendors offering festival fare.

Juneteenth is a state holiday commemorating the freeing of the slaves by Union soldiers on June 18th and 19th of 1865. The observance of the holiday corresponds with Emancipation Day on a national level. Texas slaves were not freed until the 19^th of June by Union General Gordon Granger and a few thousand troops.

Owner and operator of the catering truck Fried Ribs To Go Darwin Mims said he enjoyed his second straight Denton Juneteenth Festival.

“I’m enjoying it,” Mims said. “The festival is good, the music is good.”

Denton Police investigator Cleo Birckbichler , a 15-plus year veteran of the Denton Juneteenth Festival said the festival has gotten better with every passing year.

“I like Friday night [of the festival], because I like the Gospel music,” Birckbichler said.

More photos can be found in the slideshow below.