Voices of Freedom Collective Foundation to Host 8th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival Week
May 12, 2026 03:21PM ● By Kelsey Swire
The Voices of Freedom Collective Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is proud to announce it will host the eighth annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival Week, June 14–20, 2026, bringing together residents and visitors from across Southwest Louisiana and beyond for a weeklong celebration of culture, community and opportunity.
Now recognized as a signature regional event, the festival honors the history and significance of
Juneteenth while fostering education, entertainment and economic impact through
community-led programming.
Events begin Sunday, June 14, with the Juneteenth Freedom Festival Parade & Car Show and
Art Festival, starting at 1:00 p.m. at the Lake Charles Event Center, followed by a family-friendly
celebration featuring live music, art, vendors and food.
Events continue throughout the week:
• Monday, June 15: Men’s and Women’s Health Day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Ward 3
Martin Luther King Jr. Community Recreation Center, offering free screenings, wellness
education and preventive care resources presented by Home Health 2000 and SWLA
Center for Health Services.
• Tuesday, June 16: Kid Fit Olympics, 9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m., promoting youth fitness,
teamwork and healthy habits, followed by Movie Under the Stars, 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.,
featuring the original “Toy Story” at the Lake Charles Event Center Amphitheater.
Attendees are asked to bring their blankets and lawn chairs.
• Wednesday, June 17: Senior Bingo, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Ward 3 Martin Luther King
Jr. Community Recreation Center, followed that evening by the Sheryl Underwood
Great American Talent Search, 7:00 p.m., at the Rosa Hart Theater. Open to singers,
dancers, musicians, comedians and spoken word artists, the competition offers $5,000
in prize money and a platform for emerging talent across Southwest Louisiana and
Southeast Texas. Contestants interested in participating can register and purchase
**Auditions for the talent search will be held in person on the following dates:
▪ May 16, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., at the Clifton Chenier Center Auditorium
in Lafayette, 220 W. Willow St., Building A.
▪ May 17-18, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., at GeeBeaux’s in Lake Charles, 2336
Broad St.
• Thursday, June 18: JD Bank Freedom Opportunity Scholarship Luncheon, where local
high school students are awarded scholarships to support their continued education. To
date, more than $40,000 has been awarded, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to
investing in the next generation.
Thursday evening features the Sheryl Underwood “I Need a Job” Comedy Tour at
GeeBeaux’s, 2336 Broad St., with shows at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tables and VIP sections
• Friday, June 19: Juneteenth Concert at the Lake Charles Event Center Coliseum,
featuring Rusty Metoyer, Shae Nycole, Sean David MSX, Leah Nicole, Marcus Davis and
Jay Ecker and the Jazz Quintet. The event also includes the third annual Sauce Piquant
Cook-Off, a large vendor marketplace highlighting local businesses and a KidZone
designed for families.
• Saturday, June 20: Day of Service community clean-up from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
along Broad Street, Louisiana Avenue and Railroad Avenue, encouraging residents to
come together and give back to the community.
With annual attendance exceeding 4,000, the Juneteenth Freedom Festival continues to serve
as both a cultural celebration and an economic driver for Southwest Louisiana, supporting small
businesses, increasing visitor activity and creating meaningful opportunities for community
connection.
Several events throughout the week are free and open to the public, making the festival
accessible to families, residents and visitors alike.
For more information, a full schedule or ways to get involved, visit www.vofcollective.org.
Interested vendors are asked to call (337) 405-9130.