Freedom Day

Fourth Annual Cherryville Juneteenth Celebration Expands To A New Location

Cherryville, NC Fourth Annual Juneteenth Celebration - June 27, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

Posted Tuesday, June 30, 2026 5:07 pm

By: Mason Beam - Wise News Network

Cherryville, NC (WNN) - Long-time readers may remember that Cherryville’s recently established Juneteenth celebration had come with some growing pains. The fourth annual occurrence of this fixed those issues with a larger park, adding room to grow and a later time, helping keep the celebration cool. While a brief storm left the event organizers holding down their tent, it subsided in time for a balmy summer celebration.

Planning For the Future

Tina Feemster (left), Amanda McCorkle (middle), and Bernice Harris (right) - Cherryville, NC Fourth Annual Juneteenth Celebration - June 27, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

Cherryville’s choice of date for this event is always set away from the holiday on June 19th to allow as many people as possible to attend. This year, the celebration moved from the Gazebo Mini Park to Bill Edwards Park. This obvious size upgrade allowed for noticeably more vendors, and attendees showed up in equal measure. This year, we spoke with event organizers Tina Feemster, Bernice Harris, and Amanda McCorkle. “We’re going bigger”, stated Harris, with Feemster seeing the event quickly outgrowing its new location.

McCorkle expressed how much it meant to everyone to see the community support from Cherryville. All three women worked tirelessly to put on the event. They gathered more sponsors, giveaways, and vendors, and advertised to expand it. “The storm tried to tear us down, we had tents flying, food flying, everything was flying, and we had to hold on to a tent to keep from flying away to hit cars.” While some vendors left, the women's hard work was rewarded with a full crowd. All three also wanted to show their gratitude to Mayor Wade Stroupe, who was instrumental in ensuring they had everything they needed.

Speakers and Celebration

Amanda McCorkle laughing as Cherryville Mayor Wade Stroupe comes forth to speak - Cherryville, NC Fourth Annual Juneteenth Celebration - June 27, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

McCorkle emceed for the evening, with her handing off the mic to Mayor Stroupe first. Stroupe paraphrased Martin Luther King Jr. while consolidating the idea behind the celebration, saying,

“Thank God I ain't what I was. Thank God I ain't what I am, but thank God for what I'm going to be.”

Lift Every Voice and Sing being performed - Cherryville, NC Fourth Annual Juneteenth Celebration - June 27, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

After this opening, Tamara Hardin delivered the day's prayer. This is especially significant for Juneteenth, as the day has always been heavily spiritual, with praise being given for the freedom the holiday represents. This gave way to the Black National Anthem as the area was prepped for more speakers and prizes, and of course, celebration through music.

Several speakers came forth on their platform, with LaKesha Womack being the first. She is running as the Democratic nominee for NC’s 14th district. Her platform focuses on affordability and accountability. She wants to personally ensure that federal dollars are being spent on issues such as housing, health care, and food security. She encourages community members to speak with her and can be reached at the link here.

Brenda Eskridge speaking on her platform for Gaston County School Board - Cherryville, NC Fourth Annual Juneteenth Celebration - June 27, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

The second political speaker is a little closer to home as she seeks the at-large chair on the Gaston County School Board. Brenda Eskridge is not a newcomer to the political race, coming in second for the position in the 2024 election cycle. She hopes to see teacher pay increase and for students to have access to all required resources. She does not believe there is a one-size-fits-all solution, knowing that, from student to student and school to school, a thoughtful hand is needed to ensure potential is met. With the current struggle with the county on everyone's mind, she also wants more transparency and hopes to see clearer explanations from the school board so parents aren’t left to fill in the gaps.

To further this, Sean Bates, the Gaston County NAACP President, commended Cherryville for showing up at school board meetings to ensure everyone's voice is heard. He knows this is how change is created in a community and believes that voting is key to making sure the community gets what it needs.

Celebration Through Dance

The Shabach Praise Dancers, Performing - Cherryville, NC Fourth Annual Juneteenth Celebration - June 27, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

While speakers may deliver powerful messages through words, Juneteenth, otherwise known as Freedom Day, is a day for expression. Many choose to do this through music and dancing. The day featured several groups, and the time between speakers was filled with people enjoying the music. The Shabach Praise Dancers, a group from Emmaunal Missionary Baptist Church, filled the park's courts with dancers. For those who don’t know, shabach is a Hebrew word meaning to shour, adore, or give glory to God. This is the type of jubilee the holiday is known for, celebrating the end of slavery in America.