Bethlehem Community Center Hosts Annual Southside Juneteenth Jubilee
The Bethlehem Community Center is honoring freedom, unity, and culture through its annual Southside Juneteenth Jubilee, held Saturday in the heart of Chattanooga’s Alton Park neighborhood.
The event brought out families from across the community for a day filled with music, food, local vendors, and fun — all rooted in the powerful history of Juneteenth. Organizers say the celebration is designed to uplift and educate while bringing neighbors together.
“This is our fifth annual Juneteenth Jubilee. We’ve been doing this since 2022,” said Reginald Smith II of the Bethlehem Community Center. “The idea behind it is to give our community a chance to come together, enjoy some fun, eat good food, and also learn about the history of Juneteenth. We all know that Juneteenth marks the day when soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the Emancipation Proclamation to enslaved Africans. It’s about educating — and having a little fun doing it.”
The event featured a mix of live entertainment, educational resources, and family-friendly activities. Organizers say it’s a chance not only to celebrate freedom but to strengthen the bonds of the community.
They hope the Southside Juneteenth Jubilee will continue to grow each year, spreading both joy and history to even more families across Chattanooga.
