Van tours and more, Macon’s 2026 Juneteenth Celebration 

On almost any given afternoon, if you head to the intersection of Poplar and Second streets in downtown Macon, you can see people filing into Oliver’s Corner Bistro for a bite, or to The Vintage Thread to browse, or maybe to Lore Gallery for an appointment.

A century and a half ago, however, these crossroads were the center of another kind of commerce.

Noel’s Brick Mart, erected in 1859, was the first building in the city constructed expressly to house and auction enslaved people. The building no longer stands, but its history is detailed on a marker near the site.

The location is one of the points of interest highlighted on Fadil Muhammad’s van tours of the city, which are part of this year’s commemoration of Juneteenth.

Juneteenth marks the June 19, 1865 day that Black people in remote Galveston, Texas, finally received official word that they had been freed from slavery. It came, via Union soldiers, 71 days after the Confederate Army’s surrender and two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln’s issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation.

The van tours, which end Tuesday, are among the many events planned in Macon to mark Juneteenth, which became a federal holiday five years ago. Other events are scheduled throughout the week.

Muhammad, co-founder and co-presenter of the Kwanzaa Cultural Access Center and Torchlight Academy, has been doing the tours focused on the city’s Black history for more than 20 years.

Each of the tour stops shed light on pieces of Macon’s history — from Cotton Avenue, once Macon’s thriving Black Wall Street during the Jim Crow era of segregation, to the historic Pleasant Hill neighborhood, started by formerly enslaved people in the 1870s and currently undergoing a revitalization.

His stops include Tattnall Square Park, where Macon was surrendered to Union Major Gen. James H. Wilson on April 20, 1865, a little over a week after Gen. Robert E. Lee, chief of the Armies of the Confederate States, surrendered to his Union counterpart, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, in Virginia. 

Muhammad said that when people engage in his tours and express interest, he feels gratified and is excited to share his knowledge. He’s proud of the community and Black people in Macon.

Though some of the things he talks about are hard to hear and may upset a few guests, Muhammad said, Black people should feel great because “our ancestors survived.”

“We should feel good because our ancestors were strong, and we should be thankful, be blessed,” he said. “We are blessed because we are here to fulfill the dreams and the aspirations of our ancestors. All that they endured, we are here. We must have our spirits up.” 

Houston County native Velicia Lowe traveled to Macon for the tour after seeing a flyer about it in the Macon Black Pages. She’s visited the city many times and knew some of its rich history, but, she said, the van tour was a “neat way to come and see a side of Macon that I would normally not see.”

For her, Juneteenth is a recognition of freedom and reminder of the strength and resilience of Black people. With her, she brought her 6-year-old goddaughter. Lowe said she wanted her to take in how resilient Black people are and how much has been created. 

Lowe said she’s looking forward to participating in more Juneteenth events.

She appreciated Muhammad’s free van tour and the valuable history lessons she received. It’s important to share information, she said, “because that’s how we know — by people sharing and telling the stories of those who came and paved the way before us.” 

For those interested in the van tour, Tuesday is the last time it will be offered. It’s from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and guests will meet at the terminal station. To sign up, go here or call 478-718-8067. Walk-ins are welcome, but space is limited.

Other Juneteenth events:

Wednesday

• The 21st Annual Real Talk Hip-Hop Summit at the Douglass Theatre from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Free.
• Juneteenth Percussion Arts Workshop at the Tubman Museum from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. This event is a masterclass that will feature Afro-Latino percussionist Frankie Quiñones and interactive performances. Free.
• Tales from the Culture: Black Boy Joy will be at Sunset Suite & Lounge in Macon at 1410 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Free.

Thursday

• Juneteenth Film and Literary Arts Symposium will be at the Tubman Museum from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event includes a masterclass and panel discussion on documentary, poetry and short story writing. Free.

Friday (Juneteenth)

• Real Talk Hip-Hop Concert at the Douglass Theatre from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Artists include Blacc Mel, Esco Vo, Trïbe, Sabir, Slim Pikins, XSYKI and Da House of FTE & ASD Inc. Admission Fee: $10 
• Movie in the Park at Third Street Park at 8:30 p.m. Free.

Saturday

• 34th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival from 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Tatnall Square Park. This event will feature a regional dance and arts celebration, living history exhibits, a cultural marketplace and a talent show and jam session. Free.

Sunday

• Fourth Annual Juneteenth Parade in downtown Macon at 4:30 p.m. There will be a fireworks show at 9 p.m.
• Jazz in the Courtyard — Juneteenth and Father’s Day music concert from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Douglass Theatre. Mactown Groove Ensemble will perform at 6 p.m.  “Saxman” Gregory Daniels and “Lil Saxman” Gregory Daniels II will perform at 7:15 p.m. Free.