First Juneteenth Parade is being held in Myrtle Beach. Here’s what to expect.

For former educator and Neighborhood Services Director Mary “Cookie” Goings, this year’s Juneteenth parade event is all about educating the community.

“It is our goal to model unity, diversity, and appreciation for all people,” Goings said.

The 2022 Juneteenth Celebration will be held on June 18th and will feature the event’s first ever parade starting at the Myrtle Beach Train Depot and ending at Charlie’s Place where the rest of the event will be held, located at 1420 Carver Street. The venue is a significant historical landmark as it was in the original “Green Book” travel guide, for African Americans during the Jim Crow era.

Some of the organizations participating in the parade include Coastal Carolina University, the Myrtle Beach High school band, and a youth group from Ekklesia Christian Church. Participants can also expect to see representatives from city council, according to Goings.

The free event at Charlie’s Place will feature live music, including Painted Man, a soul and R&B band based in Myrtle Beach. The event will also include a kids zone, food, and several retail vendors.

Bridgett Bolie, owner of B-nice Creations with Love said she will bring handcrafted earrings and bracelets, as well as her handmade hair oil to the event.

“I really hope that it will do really well for the business and help show the different types of creativities that I do. As an African-American and a minority, that’s really a great help for us,” Bolie said.

While the Neighborhood Services Department has put on an annual Juneteenth event since 2018, this will be the first event to include a parade and several more vendors. Juneteenth, which is observed on June 19th, was made a federal holiday a year ago.

Steps off starts at 10 a.m. and the event ends at 9 p.m.

This story was originally published June 10, 2022 at 5:00 AM.