photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

Members of the Vann family wave to Juneteenth parade-goers in Lawrence on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

The Lawrence community celebrated Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery, a few days early on Saturday with a downtown parade and event at South Park. The holiday is Wednesday, June 19.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

Participants in the Juneteenth parade wave while walking down Massachusetts Street on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

The Lawrence Juneteenth Parade makes its way down Massachusetts Street past the Granada on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

Lawrence Mayor Bart Littlejohn waves from a float during the Juneteenth Parade on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

Parade participants wave while walking down Massachusetts Street on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

The Unity High Steppers Drill Team performs on Massachusetts Street during the Juneteenth Parade on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

A line of cars files down Massachusetts street as part of the Juneteenth parade on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

Juneteenth parade participants hand out candy while walking past the Watkins Museum of History on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

A family waves to a driver in the Juneteenth parade on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

Food trucks and a stage are at South Park as part of Lawrence’s Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

Artwork is on display and for sale in South Park on Saturday, June 15, 2024, during Lawrence’s Juneteenth Celebration.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

Tents line the sidewalk in South Park on Saturday, June 15, 2024, during Lawrence’s Juneteenth celebration.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

The Lawrence High School drumline performs in South Park on Saturday, June 15, 2024, during Lawrence’s Juneteenth Celebration.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

A banner announces Juneteenth in Lawrence on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

A mural is visible in an alley in downtown Lawrence on Saturday, June 15, 2024.