The 2026 Onslow County Juneteenth Heritage Celebration is quickly approaching with everything from a mac-and-cheese cookoff to an art auction on the itinerary.
The event is planned for June 21, which is Father's Day, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Onslow Pines Park, 1250 Onslow Pines Road in Jacksonville. The county's first Juneteenth celebration was held in 2023.
“When they declared Juneteenth as a national holiday, I said we celebrate everything else. We celebrate the Fourth of July, we have a Christmas tree lighting, Memorial Day. We celebrate everything else, and it was very important to me that we also recognize Juneteenth as being Freedom Day for African Americans,†said LaQuesha Cadwallader, Onslow County recreation division manager.
The festival will include food trucks, vendors, an art auction featuring a painting of Ella Fitzgerald, a mac-and-cheese cookoff, line dancing and performances by violinist Kimberly Michelle, band Carl Newton's Review and the 40 and up Double Dutch Club.
Cadwallader's daughter will even read aloud the history of the Juneteenth holiday.
“In the previous years, we've used our older generation but I feel that it's very important that the younger generation as well know the meaning and the history behind Juneteenth,†she said.
There is no cost for admission to the event with only the vendors, mac-and-cheese cookoff and art auction requiring money. Proceeds from the cookoff will go toward the Alzheimer's Association for the Walk to End Alzheimer's.
“Mac-and-cheese is a staple for African Americans, for Thanksgiving, Christmas, even for Sunday dinner,†Cadwallader said. “Being that it's Father's Day as well we want people to come out and be able to indulge in some of the best mac-and-cheese.â€
As for the art auction, proceeds will go toward Onslow County Parks and Recreation's scholarship fund.
Cadwallader said she invites people to bring lawn chairs and come to the event to honor history and celebrate unity.
