LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Southwest Louisiana came together Sunday to celebrate freedom, culture, and community at the 2026 Juneteenth Freedom Festival Parade in downtown Lake Charles.

Dozens of floats, cars, motorcycles, church groups, and organizations rolled through the city, honoring the history and progress of the Black community.

Juneteenth commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, enslaved people in Texas were informed of their freedom more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

The parade began at the Event Center and traveled down Broad Street, Enterprise Boulevard, Mill Street, and Lakeshore Drive before returning to the Event Center.

Floats featured portraits and tributes to historic Black figures, serving as a moving reminder of the community’s long journey and continued progress.

Harvey Logan, who represented the Crew Day Logan float, said the display was intentional, especially for the children riding alongside him.

“You see, I got a float full of kids that our kids understand where we started from in this country. The milestones that we’ve reached, the huge impossible things that we’ve achieved.” said Harvey Logan, Parade Participant.

For many attendees, seeing the community come together peacefully was just as powerful as the parade itself.

Gerry Sly Williams said the unity on display sends a message that goes beyond Lake Charles.

“The way America is right now, they’re looking at that we have a lot of racism. It’s not a lot of racism. We can still come together because if you put two kids in a room, a black kid and a white kid, and cut the lights out, they’ll never know the color.” said Gerry Sly Williams, Parade Attendee.

Nathaniel Rapp said events like this one are critical for young people who may not learn Black history in the classroom.

“It’s very important for the youth to learn their history, because their history is not always incorporated into American history. Now it’s more important than ever for them to understand the foundation of where we are today.” said Nathaniel Rapp, Parade Attendee.

For parade-goers, Sunday’s event is just the beginning. The Juneteenth Festival is a week-long celebration of freedom, culture, and community in Southwest Louisiana.

Logan said the work of remembering and honoring that history doesn’t stop when the parade ends.

“…1865 is the beginning. We ain’t nowhere close to the end. We got to continue to fight, continue to have equal rights, continue to have economic rights continue to fight for every stage of the game.” said Harvey Logan, Parade Participant.