News Summary
Beaufort, SC, celebrated its 2nd annual King’s Day Unity parade to honor Gullah Geechee culture and foster community ties. The event featured around 40 floats, highlighting significant locations related to African American heritage, and saw increased participation from locals. Organizers from Project Freedom 326 emphasized the parade’s mission of unity among diverse ethnic groups, coinciding with Father’s Day. Plans for future celebrations aim to address community wellness needs, reinforcing the importance of Juneteenth in understanding the region’s history.
Beaufort, SC celebrated Juneteenth with the 2nd annual King’s Day Unity parade on June 16, 2025, organized by Project Freedom 326. The event honored the Gullah Geechee culture and aimed to strengthen community ties, showcasing a vibrant atmosphere that attracted a large turnout.
The parade included approximately 40 floats that made their way through Beaufort’s historic streets, highlighting important locations tied to African American and Gullah Geechee heritage. Notable sites along the parade route featured the residence of historic figure Robert Smalls and the grounds where abolitionist Harriet Tubman is believed to have walked.
Community involvement grew significantly compared to the previous year, marking a positive trend for the event. Participants included Phyllis Smart and Shontell Johnson, natives of St. Helena Island, who joined the celebration for the first time and emphasized the importance of sharing their culture and history. The atmosphere during the parade was described as electrifying, contributing to a sense of unity among attendees.
Marlisha Robinson, Co-founder and Executive Director of Project Freedom 326, highlighted the organization’s mission to foster community unity among various ethnicities and neighborhoods. The timing of the parade also honored fathers and father figures, coinciding with Father’s Day, and aimed to set positive examples for young African American males.
As the parade approached, several downtown roads in Beaufort were closed to traffic starting at 2:45 p.m., with expected reopening around 4 p.m. The Woods Memorial Bridge also experienced temporary closure during the parade, which officially began at 3 p.m.
Looking ahead, Project Freedom 326 has announced plans for its 5th annual Juneteenth Freedom Celebration scheduled for June 20, 2025, in Port Royal. This event will focus on fundraising for sickle cell and heart health initiatives, underscoring the organization’s broader commitment to community wellness and engagement.
Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, continues to gain recognition and significance in communities across the nation. In Beaufort, the Juneteenth King’s Day Unity celebration serves as a reminder of the region’s rich history and the ongoing journey toward unity and understanding among its diverse population.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Beaufort County Residents Prepare for Road Closures During Juneteenth Parade
Additional Resources
- WSAV: Project Freedom 326 Holds 2nd Juneteenth Parade in Beaufort
- Wikipedia: Juneteenth
- WJCL: Juneteenth Parade Road Closures Beaufort
- Google Search: Juneteenth celebration
- Explore Beaufort: 11th Annual Juneteenth Celebration
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Juneteenth
- Island Packet: Local Juneteenth Celebration Coverage
- Google News: Beaufort SC
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
