On behalf of the City of Fayetteville, Cool Spring Downtown District (CSDD) is delighted to announce the return of the fifth annual Juneteenth Jubilee. This community celebration of history, unity and Black American contributions and culture will kick off in the heart of the downtown district in Festival Park on Friday, June 19, 2026 from 5PM-11PM. 

The Juneteenth Jubilee is designed to offer a thoughtfully curated, inclusive, educational and joyfully entertaining event for all. This year, organizers will be connecting the threads of the Black American experience from the past and the present, and turning towards the idea of an equitable, just, joyful and limitless future. The Jubilee will feature nationally touring headliners, local performance acts, food trucks, small-business and corporate vendors, artists/artisans, history, games and other entertainment for the whole family.

Organizers are excited to announce the headlining musical talent for this year’s Jubilee stage. The Jubilee stage opener is Misha Fair. Fair is an Atlanta-born singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist carving her own lane in Traditional Country, Americana and Alt-Country. A third-generation musician, she blends soul, and roots-driven rock into a sound she describes as “deep-fried” in folk, gospel and bluegrass, honoring Southern tradition while pushing it forward with bold vocals and emotionally grounded storytelling. A seasoned live performer, Fair has appeared on stages across the United States and internationally in Europe. Her dynamic musicianship and commanding vocal delivery create performances rooted in authenticity, emotional depth and connection.

The marquee headliner this year is Kirby. Kirby, born as Kirby Lauryen Dockery, is a singer and songwriter born in Memphis, Tenn. but spent most of her upbringing with her tight-knit, loving family in Southaven, Miss. After leaving her studies at Berklee College of Music, Kirby challenged herself to post an original song every day for 275 days on YouTube. On day 302 of the challenge, she was signed with Roc Nation. Soon after being signed, Kirby found her way working with artists like Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, Brandy and Timbaland, with notable songwriting credits such as “Only One” by Kayne West, “Break Your Heart Right Back” by Ariana Grande, and “Die With You” by Beyonce.  Since that time, Kirby has been able to write two albums of her own, multiple singles and even a soundtrack album for the dark-comedy, thriller TV series, “Swarm.” Her latest release, Miss Black America, short for Mississippi Black America, which features Big K.R.I.T., Akeem Ali, her father and more, is emotionally charged and profound.  

In addition to the main stage talent, CSDD is pleased to welcome back the Miss Juneteenth Fayetteville Scholarship Pageant, with a crowning ceremony to take place during the Jubilee. For more information regarding the pageant, please contact J19 Unity Pageant Director, Linyi Ridgell, via Facebook (@juneteenth.queens.fayetteville.nc). Community groups and local talent will also grace the Jubilee stage. Partners such as Black Artist Forward, Black Canvas and the Fayetteville State University Fine Arts department will fill the Jubilee with vibrant visual art, boldly capturing stories of Black expression through the arts. Fun for the whole family, there will be a children’s entertainment area, and a ticketed VIP experience available. To round out the celebration, there will be a diverse selection of artisan, marketplace, small business, non-profit and food vendors offering unique products and experience for attendees. 

Confirmed keynote speakers for the event include Sheila Cuffee, who just recently won her primary in the Cumberland County Commissioners race. Mrs. Cuffee previously served as the chair of the Fayetteville Cumberland County Human Relations Commission, is serving her second term as an appointee to the NC Human Relations Commission and currently serves as chair of the Cumberland County CommuniCare Board of Directors. She is also on the executive committee for the Fayetteville Arts Council and part of the Community Engagement Council for the Methodist University and Cape Fear Valley School of Medicine. April Mata, creative manager for the Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County will also deliver remarks. Mata is passionate about building community through culture, storytelling and innovative programming. Over the past 10+ years, she has directed exhibitions, led large-scale public events, managed dynamic teams and grown meaningful community partnerships, including the co-founding of Black Artist Forward, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating equity in the arts for Black artists in the community. 

The City of Fayetteville are the title sponsors of the Juneteenth Jubilee. 

“It’s an opportunity for us to reflect on our past, celebrate progress and unite in our ongoing journey towards a more inclusive and equitable future”, said City of Fayetteville Mayor, Mitch Colvin, in a press release.

 CSDD’s President/CEO, Ashanti Bennett, shared in a press release: “Curating this significant cultural celebration is both a great responsibility, and a tremendous honor. The opportunity to gather our community in unity and love and amplify the positive contributions and indefatigable joy of the Black community in our history and today is deeply meaningful and resonant.” 

CSDD is proud to be a recipient of a $5k Levitt Family Foundation grant in support of the 2026 Jubilee. The current list of confirmed Juneteenth Jubilee event sponsors includes ABC-11, Healy Wholesale Company, Inc., Public Works Commission (PWC), Duke Energy,  Methodist University, Fayetteville State University, and Brightspeed Internet, with additional sponsorships pending. To learn more about becoming a Juneteenth Jubilee sponsor, please email Ashanti Bennett, CSDD President/CEO at ashanti@coolspringfay.org.

For more information or vendor application links, visit CSDD's website at visitdowntownfayetteville.com. Vendor applications are open on Eventeny.com; the deadline to apply is April 19, 2026.