Dates - The 2025 8th of August Emancipation Celebration includes events from August 6 through August 10.
Contact - For additional information about the 8th of August Emancipation Celebration activities, contact the W.C. Young Community Center at 270-444-6583 or visit the W.C. Young Community Center Facebook Page(link is external).
Theme - Legacy & Lineage: A Celebration of HBCU Pride and Divine 9 Power
Schedule
Wednesday, August 6
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W.C. Young Community Center - Open House at 6 p.m. with a Back to School Street Dance & Foam Party from 7 until 9 p.m.
Thursday, August 7
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Paducah Middle School - Little Mr. & Miss. Pageant at 6 p.m.
Friday, August 8
- Washington Street Baptist Church - Emancipation Celebration Breakfast at 7 a.m.
- Washington Street Baptist Church - Free Food Distribution sponsored by Black Soil KY Charitable Fund, Inc. at 11 a.m.
- Floral Hall/Carson Park Fairgrounds - Emancipation Dance at 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 9
- Free Inaugural Emancipation Celebration 5K Walk/Run - Registration at 6 a.m. Race begins at 7 a.m. The race will begin at Robert Coleman Park (S 9th Street) and run several blocks of the Southside and Downtown areas before finishing back at Robert Coleman Park.
- Emancipation Celebration Parade - Parade line-up begins at 9 a.m. with the parade beginning at 10 a.m. The parade, which typically attracts approximately 60 entries, will start at 12th and Broadway and will proceed down Broadway to Walter Jetton Boulevard. The parade will then turn right on Walter Jetton and finish at Robert Coleman Park.
- Robert Coleman Park - Festivities and vendors will be at Robert Coleman Park immediately after the parade and throughout the afternoon and early evening.
- Floral Hall/Carson Park Fairgrounds - Rocia Presents Ultimate All White Party at 8 p.m.
Sunday, August 10
-
Harrison Street Missionary Baptist Church - Salute to Gospel Music at 4 p.m.
