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This year’s Juneteenth Freedom Festival, “A Celebration of Culture, Resilience, and Survival,” will be alive with music.

On Saturday, June 21, at 4 p.m., following the opening ceremonies at Beebe Memorial Park by Mayor Donald Sadler and the crowning of Mr. and Mrs. Juneteenth, Nulook Steepaz from Greenville will take the stage. They will be teaching a line dance which was made popular by the song that topped the Billboard charts, “Boots on the Ground: Where Them Fans At?”

“It’s symbolic of the connection to community, resilience, and joyful escapes through music and dancing,” said Paula Stephenson, Washington Tourism Authority director and festival planning committee member. “They will be teaching everyone of all ages and skill levels how to line dance. It will be a fun-filled couple of hours highlighting accessibility and inclusivity. We are very excited to have them join us this year.”

From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Chocolate Chip & Company will take center stage. The group hails from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and features lead singer, Anthony Tony Lee Howard, affectionately known as Chocolate Chip, who is originally from Eastern North Carolina. “They are a very high-energy group,” said Stephenson. “They play a little of everything from old R&B, funk, soul, and pop. So there will be a little of something for everyone’s musical taste.”

Then on Sunday, June 22, from 4 p.m.- 8 p.m., the traditional gospel concert will be highlighted by David Moore & Focus, along with seven other groups, and gospel singer Mae Rogers. “We definitely have more artists this year,” said Stephenson. “The thing about music is that it brings all races, cultures, and socio-ethnic groups together. Everyone loves music, and we have assembled a group of artists who will certainly deliver.”

All events at Beebe Memorial Park on Saturday and Sunday are free and open to the public. There will be food trucks, bottled water, and free Kona snow cones for the first 100 kids each day, in addition to plenty of games, amusement rides, and area vendors. Those attending are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.