Juneteenth Walk to the River returns to Savannah, rain or shine

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Savannah Mayor Van Johnson will lead the city’s third annual Juneteenth Walk to the River on Friday, a two-mile community walk designed to honor the meaning of Juneteenth and reflect on the history behind the holiday.

The walk is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. at Wells Park, 2299 Montgomery St., and will travel north along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, ending at MLK Jr. Park along the Savannah River.

Juneteenth, observed June 19, commemorates the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation, bringing an end to chattel slavery in the United States. City leaders say the two-mile route is intentional, symbolizing the time it took for news of freedom to reach enslaved people in Texas — roughly two-and-a-half years after the proclamation was signed.

Johnson said the walk is meant to bring the community together and recognize Juneteenth as a shared part of U.S. history.

“Juneteenth is not just African American history. It is American history,” said Johnson. “So, it is a very, very solemn community walk to the river. We’ve started it two years ago. It’s turned out miraculously well. We’ve had people from all segments of our community to come and show up and walk two miles with us.”

Johnson also said the event will continue regardless of weather.

“Slavery occurred in the rain, shine and very inclement weather, and so, I think for me, it’s not asking too much for me to be a little uncomfortable given all that enslaved people in America went through,” said Johnson. “So, I don’t know if anybody else is going to be there, but rain or shine, I’m there.”

The city said transportation will be available for participants with mobility challenges and for anyone needing a ride back to their vehicles after the walk. Hydration stations will be set up along the route.

Savannah police will conduct rolling traffic closures on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard between West 38th Street and River Street during the event. Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes and follow officers’ directions.