Juneteenth Jubilee Set for June 17-18 in Downtown Fayetteville

Juneteenth Jubilee went so well in downtown Fayetteville in 2022, they decided to bringing it back for a second year in 2023.

The City of Fayetteville and Cool Spring Downtown District announced Juneteenth Jubilee 2023 will be held June 17-18 in Festival Park, with a retro 70s theme this year. And that includes a temporary roller skating rink in place!

"Day One of the Jubilee on Saturday will lean into the influence of 70s funk and soul with Sunday’s event highlighting gospel and soul performances; both days will include local and nationally touring acts," Cool Spring Downtown District said in its post about the event. "Art will abound at the Jubilee with a Juneteenth Joyscape community mural and a photo exhibition, "Homegrown: A Photo Exhibit Celebrating Fayetteville Leadership and Community Contributors Born or Excelling in the 1970s. Bounce houses and game tables will be on hand in case attendees want to spark a friendly game of Spades, Dominoes, or Uno or even perhaps a Twister challenge."

Last year, Morray and Amethyst Kiah headlined the event, and while acts have not been announced for this year yet, CSDD says national acts will be a part of the event.

"The Juneteenth Jubilee will kick off in the heart of downtown on Saturday June 17, 2023 with a full-day celebration in Festival Park (335 Ray Avenue) from 3:00PM - 9:00PM featuring nationally touring headliners, local performance acts, food trucks, small-business and corporate vendors, artists/artisans, games and other entertainment for the whole family. The festivities will continue on Sunday, June 18 from 2:00PM - 6:00PM, also in Festival Park."

Fayetteville native Brian Tyree Henry, a 71st High School graduate, was nominated for his first Academy Award this year, and appeared at the Oscars Sunday night.

Henry was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a film called "Causeway," where he co-starred with Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence.

Causeway is available to stream on Apple TV+, and tells the story of a soldier (Lawrence) living with the after-effects of a traumatic brain injury. Henry plays James, a mechanic that becomes friends with Lawrence's character, as they both look to overcome their pasts.

Henry was incredible in the role, and looked amazing Sunday night at the Oscars. He did not win his award, losing out to Ke Huy Quan, from eventual Best Picture winner "Everything Everwhere All At Once."

You've likely seen Henry elsewhere. He's starred as rapper Paper Boi in the award-winning FX show "Atlanta." He was also in Marvel's "Eternals," as well as Brad Pitt's wild "Bullet Train" film last year. He's also taken turns on Broadway, and is winning critical acclaim for all of it.

We are so proud of this local product, and can't wait to see what's next for this incredible local actor who has made the big time! Congratulations to Fayetteville native Brian Tyree Henry.