photo by: Lily O'Shea Becker

A float in the Juneteenth Parade rolls through downtown Lawrence on Saturday, June 18, 2022.

Lawrence’s Juneteenth celebration returned on Saturday with a parade on Massachusetts Street and food, music and more in South Park. Juneteenth, now a federal holiday, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Though the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863, it wasn’t until June 19, 1865 — since celebrated as Juneteenth — that troops belatedly enforced emancipation in Galveston, Texas.

Saturday’s celebration isn’t the end of the observances in Lawrence; there are several events planned on Sunday, as well.

photo by: Lily O’Shea Becker

Visitors walk past booths for various businesses and organizations at the Juneteenth Celebration in South Park on Saturday, June 18, 2022.

photo by: Lily O’Shea Becker

A float in the Juneteenth parade rolls down Massachusetts Street on Saturday, June 18, 2022. The parade kicked off a day of Juneteenth events.

photo by: Lily O’Shea Becker

Participants walk in the Juneteenth Parade on Saturday, June 18, 2022, on Masssachusetts Street.

photo by: Lily O’Shea Becker

Nothing Unique Organization had a booth at the Juneteenth Celebration in South Park on Saturday, June 18, 2022. The organization’s mission is to help felons and the homeless community with their futures.

photo by: Lily O’Shea Becker

Anti-gun-violence organization Moms Demand Action had a booth at the Juneteenth Celebration in South Park on Saturday, June 18, 2022.

photo by: Lily O’Shea Becker

Malik Maceo sings at the Juneteenth celebration in downtown Lawrence on Saturday, June 18, 2022.

photo by: Lily O’Shea Becker

Attendees at the Juneteenth celebration watch musician Malik Maceo perform in downtown Lawrence on Saturday, June 18, 2022.

photo by: Lily O’Shea Becker

A child dances while musician Malik Maceo performs at the Juneteenth celebration in downtown Lawrence on Saturday, June 18, 2022.

photo by: Lily O’Shea Becker

Patricia Norwood, left, and Serena Etcheridge sell handmade jewelry at the Juneteenth celebration in South Park on Saturday, June 18, 2022.

photo by: Lily O’Shea Becker

Juneteenth celebration attendees gather under an arch to take a photo in South Park on Saturday, June 18, 2022.

photo by: Lily O’Shea Becker

A food truck sells barbecue and Caribbean food at the Juneteenth celebration in South Park on Saturday, June 18, 2022.

photo by: Lily O’Shea Becker

From left, Brandy Douglas, Byron Myrick and Demetrius Kemp sell catfish and more at the Juneteenth celebration in South Park on Saturday, June 18, 2022.