DURHAM, N.C. — The Juneteenth Hayti neighborhood celebration in Durham kicks off Friday at the Hayti Heritage Center.

What You Need To Know

The Juneteenth Hayti neighborhood celebration in Durham kicks off Friday at the Hayti Heritage Center from 1 p.m - 9 p.m.

Leading up to Friday’s celebration, kids are spending the week learning the importance of the holiday through dance and the arts

The Juneteenth celebration is free

The event will be from 1 p.m - 9 p.m., celebrating the holiday that commemorates when the last of the enslaved people received news of their freedom. On June 19, 1865, federal troops arrived to Galveston, Texas to take control of the state and make sure that all enslaved people were free.

Leading up to Friday’s celebration, kids are spending the week learning the importance of the holiday. Students are expressing themselves through the arts.

The two-week summer arts intensive program offered at the Hayti Heritage Center in Durham is all about dance, rhythm and a conversation about the meaning behind Juneteenth.

“This dance means a lot to me, especially through my community, because I finally get to express my emotions and experience and learn more about Juneteenth through this dance,” student Alia Bell said.

Bell and several other students attending the program were asked to present a dance that symbolizes Juneteenth.

“We are learning about how the slaves finally found out that they were free, and that is really important because through all of the dance movement we are empowered," Bell stated.

Toya Chinfloo is one of the instructors teaching dances and songs with a goal to show students how important it is to know their history.

“This gives them a chance to know when African Americans were independent, and the country was truly free of all forms of oppression that was sanctioned, and they have the chance to push this holiday, even beyond our ancestors' wildest dreams," Chinfloo said.

"It helps us connect to all our ancestors," Bell said.

The Juneteenth celebration is free.