Event to celebrate Juneteenth in Da Rock planned for West Ninth Street; UCA to present “Three …” entertainment.
The 16th annual Juneteenth in Da Rock festival will take place on Saturday at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, starting with the fourth annual Juneteenth in Da Rock 5K walk/run from 7-9 a.m. Participants will pass by historic Black landmarks such as Arkansas Baptist College, Philander Smith University, and Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site. The day-long festivities kick off at 11 a.m. on West Ninth Street in downtown Little Rock, showcasing live music from acclaimed artists like Elle Varner, October London, along with local talents such as Akeem Kemp, Afrodesia, and more. Numerous vendors, food trucks, and an expanded Kids Zone will be present, creating a family-friendly environment for all attendees.
For those interested in health and wellness, the museum ballroom will house the Health and Wellness Village, featuring vendors, mental health professionals, and organizations sharing information on nutrition, preventive care, and overall wellness. Admission to the festival is free, and you can register online at juneteenthlittlerock.com to secure your spot.
Additionally, Arkansas PBS will present a screening of the short film “Wilmar June Dinner” on Thursday at the center as a part of their “Celebrating Arkansas” series. This film chronicles the history of Wilmar, a small town in Southeast Arkansas known for hosting one of the longest-running Juneteenth celebrations in the state since the late 1800s. To learn more about this film and other events, you can visit myarpbs.org/events.
Various organizations affiliated with Juneteenth in Da Rock have also organized events and performances leading up to the festival. The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts will host a “Juneteenth: Creative Morning” on Thursday, a family-friendly artmaking activity. The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Jazz Quartet will perform music by Black composers on Friday at their Stella Boyle Smith Music Center, offering a free concert for attendees. You can also explore the historic Dreamland Ballroom with guided tours on Saturday, an opportunity to learn more about its rich cultural heritage.
In addition to the Juneteenth celebrations, the University of Central Arkansas Summer Theatre will be presenting “Ken Ludwig’s The Three Musketeers” at the James M. Bridges Black Box Theatre in Conway. This adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel follows the adventures of young swordsman D’Artagnan as he teams up with veteran musketeers Athos, Porthos, and Aramis to protect the realm. With multiple showings scheduled throughout the weekend, theater enthusiasts will have the chance to witness this thrilling tale come to life on stage.