The Town of Rayville was definitely filled with excitement, joy, spirit, history and hope for it’s second annual Juneteenth parade held June 19th at the Rayville High School parking lot.
Hundreds of onlookers lined the streets to see the pageantry of the many participants in the parade lead by the Rayville Police Chief Markus Turner, Honorable Harry Lewis, Rayville High School ROTC, Rayville Fire Department, Sheriff Neal Harwell of the Richland Parish Sheriff Department.
The Rayville High School Marching University Band, twirlers, flag team and cheerleaders even graced the crowd with a signature Hornet performance.
The day of emancipation was hosted by Consuela M. Hunter town alderwoman of Rayville in collaboration with the Town of Rayville Juneteenth Committee and the Rayville Rosenwald/ Eula D. Britton Alumni Association.
As promised the event was a morning filled with unity, reflection and celebration. The theme was “Because of Them, We Can!” which pays homage to the ancestors/trail blazers whose courage and sacrifice paved the way for past, present and future generations.
Juneteenth originates from the fact on June 19, 1865, the last slaves received word they were emancipated.
In 2021, the 117th U.S. congress enacted and President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law making it the the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day adopted in 1983.
The grand marshal was Rayville native Assistant Chief Mary Ann Bishop Tellis who is the first black female assistant chief of Monroe Police Department in Monroe.
The most decorated float award was granted to Tender Touch Nursery.
The Town of Rayville Juneteenth Parade Committee are Alderwoman Consuela M. Hunter, Vonda Bunnitt Thomas, Josette Wilkins, Nancy Jones, Freddy Rivers, Alfreida Wilkins, Marshella Davis, Gujuan Smith, Phyliss Dorsey, Novelette Dorsey and Freda Kennedy.
The Juneteenth Parade Judges were Erica White, Mr. Thurman Brown and Joyce Smith.
Special thanks to the committee members, RREDB alumni association, all participants, volunteers, supporters, Brookshires of Rayville, Cool Kids, KNOE, Richland Beacon-News, Smitty’s Taste of the Bayou and Unique Trophies.
